Nickel (Ni)
Nickel is a versatile transition metal primarily used as an alloying element in stainless steels (65% of consumption) and nickel-based superalloys. Its excellent high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and magnetic properties make it critical for aerospace turbines, chemical processing, and the rapidly growing battery industry.
Properties
- Density
- 8,908 kg/m³
- Melting Point
- 1,455 °C
- Boiling Point
- 2,913 °C
- Thermal Conductivity
- 90.9 W/(m·K)
- Electrical Resistivity
- 6.97 × 10⁻⁸ Ω·m
- Tensile Strength
- 380–750 MPa (pure)
- Yield Strength
- 100–620 MPa
- Hardness
- 60–200 HB
- Elongation
- 25–50%
- Crystal Structure
- FCC
Common Grades
- Nickel 200 (2.4066): Commercially pure nickel (99.6%). Chemical processing, electronics, caustic handling.
- Inconel 625 (2.4856): Nickel-chromium-molybdenum superalloy. Extreme corrosion and temperature resistance.
- Monel 400 (2.4360): Nickel-copper alloy (67Ni-30Cu). Marine, chemical, oil & gas applications.
- Hastelloy C-276 (2.4819): Premium corrosion-resistant alloy. Handles virtually all chemical environments.
- Inconel 718 (2.4668): Precipitation-hardened superalloy. Jet engine discs, turbine blades, space applications.
Applications
- Aerospace: Turbine blades and discs, combustion chambers, exhaust systems, rocket engines
- Chemical Processing: Reactors, heat exchangers, piping for aggressive acids and alkalis
- Energy: Nuclear reactor components, LNG processing, hydrogen production equipment
- Batteries: Lithium-ion cathodes (NMC, NCA), nickel-metal hydride batteries
- Alloying: Stainless steel production (austenite stabilizer), superalloy base metal
FAQ
What is the difference between Inconel and stainless steel?
Inconel is a nickel-chromium superalloy family designed for extreme temperatures (up to 1,100°C) and aggressive corrosion environments where stainless steel fails. Inconel maintains strength at temperatures where stainless steel would soften or oxidize. It costs 5–15× more than 316 stainless.
Why is nickel important for batteries?
Nickel is a key cathode material in lithium-ion batteries (NMC: nickel-manganese-cobalt and NCA: nickel-cobalt-aluminum). Higher nickel content increases energy density, enabling longer EV range. Demand is projected to triple by 2030 as EV adoption accelerates.
What is Monel and where is it used?
Monel 400 is a nickel-copper alloy (67% Ni, 30% Cu) with excellent resistance to seawater, acids, and alkalis. It is immune to chloride stress corrosion cracking and maintains strength from cryogenic to moderate temperatures. Primary uses: marine valves, pump shafts, chemical processing, oil & gas production equipment.