nikelmetal

Nickel metal is a chemical element with symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a hard, silvery-white metal with a slight golden tinge, notable for its strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. At room temperature it is ferromagnetic and forms a protective oxide layer.

Nickel occurs naturally in several minerals, most notably pentlandite, and is typically mined from sulfide ore bodies or laterite deposits. Major producers include Canada, Russia, Australia and Indonesia. Refined nickel is produced by smelting and refining to remove impurities; a traditional purification route is the Mond process, in which nickel tetracarbonyl is formed and decomposed to yield high-purity nickel metal. Modern refineries also use hydrometallurgical routes.

Applications of nickel metal are broad. It is a key component of stainless steel and many other alloys, such as Monel, Inconel, and Hastelloy, which rely on nickel’s corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. Nickel metal powder and sheets are used in electroplating, catalysts (notably Raney nickel), and as catalysts in chemical processing. Nickel alloys are common in aerospace, chemical processing, and electronics industries. In rechargeable battery technology, nickel is employed in nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel–cadmium (NiCd) cells; nickel is also a structural element in some lithium-ion cathode chemistries.

Health and environmental concerns: exposure to nickel compounds can be toxic and carcinogenic, and skin contact can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Mining and refining can impact air and water quality, making recycling of scrap nickel important.

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