Nickel
Online Metals is the expert source for nickel. We offer grades like 200, 400, and 600 for extreme environments. With no minimum orders and custom cuts, we supply the chemical, aerospace, and marine industries with the resilient metals they require.
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Nickel is a highly specialized metal renowned for its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and hostile chemical environments without degrading. It offers exceptional high-temperature stability, retaining its structural strength where standard steel would melt or fail, making it the foundation for "superalloys" like Inconel. Combined with its unparalleled resistance to aggressive acids, alkalis, and saltwater, nickel provides critical corrosion protection and thermal control, even allowing for engineered alloys with zero thermal expansion for high-precision instruments.
Learn More About Nickel
Thinking about using nickel for your next project? Nickel is the master of extreme environments, offering resistance to high heat and aggressive chemicals. To help you select the right grade, here are five important factors regarding nickel:
- High-Temperature Stability Nickel alloys retain their strength at temperatures where steel would fail or melt. This makes them essential for jet engines, gas turbines, and kiln components that operate under intense thermal stress.
- Exceptional Corrosion Resistance Pure Nickel (Nickel 200) and its alloys are incredibly resistant to alkalis and acids. They are standard in food processing and chemical handling to prevent contamination and equipment failure.
- The Superalloys Nickel is the base for "superalloys" like Inconel (Nickel 600/625). These alloys combine nickel with chromium and molybdenum to withstand the most hostile environments on earth, from deep-sea drilling to rocket exhaust.
- Magnetic Properties Pure nickel is magnetic, but many of its alloys are not. Understanding the magnetic permeability of the specific grade (like Monel vs. Nickel 200) is important for electronics and instrumentation applications.
- Thermal Expansion Control Certain nickel-iron alloys (like Invar) are designed to have almost zero thermal expansion. This means they don't change size when heated, a critical property for precision instruments, thermostats, and OLED screens.
Some common uses for nickel:
- Chemical processing equipment
- Aerospace turbine blades
- Marine fasteners and shafts (Monel)
- Batteries and fuel cells
- Food processing drums
- Desalination plants
How Online Metals Can Help You Online Metals makes it easy to find exactly what materials you need. With the widest selection of nickel sheet, plate, bar, and tube in the U.S., we deliver both to businesses and homes with no minimum orders. We offer high-tolerance custom cuts, all supported by our first-in-class customer support, fast order processing, and economical on-time delivery.
Nickel FAQs
Is nickel a precious metal?
No, nickel is not considered a precious metal like gold or platinum. It is categorized as a base metal due to its widespread industrial use and relatively lower value compared to precious metals.
Is nickel used in medical implants?
While nickel is known for its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, its use in medical implants can vary. Some people may have allergies to nickel, and in those cases, alternative materials are preferred. However, certain nickel-containing alloys, like stainless steel, can be used for specific medical implants when compatibility is ensured.
What makes nickel so resistant to corrosion, and how does it compare to stainless steel?
Nickel's robust resistance to corrosion is primarily attributed to its ability to form a protective oxide layer, making it an ideal choice in applications involving high temperatures, aggressive chemicals, and extreme environments. It excels in scenarios where stainless steel may fall short, such as high-temperature settings where nickel-based alloys like Inconel outperform stainless steel grades. Additionally, in corrosive environments, particularly those featuring hydrochloric acid or specialized chemical processing, nickel's superior corrosion resistance is preferred. Its use extends to aerospace, defense, marine, and chemical industries, highlighting its critical role in demanding applications where protection against corrosion is paramount.
Is nickel used in food preparation or cookware?
Nickel is not commonly used in direct food preparation or cookware due to the potential for allergic reactions and leaching concerns. However, it can be found as a component in stainless steel cookware, where it is typically alloyed with other elements to ensure its safety for cooking purposes.
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