Nickel, the 24th element in abundance, has an average content of 0.016% in the outer 10 miles of
the earth's crust. This is greater than the total for copper, zinc, and lead. However, few of these
deposits scattered throughout the world are of commercial importance. Oxide ores commonly called
laterites are largely distributed in the tropics. The igneous rocks contain high magnesium contents
and have been concentrated by weathering. Of the total known ore deposits, more than 80% is
contained in laterite ores. The sulfide ores found in the northern hemispheres do not easily concentrate
by weathering. The sulfide ores in the Sudbury district of Ontario, which contain important byproducts
such as copper, cobalt, iron, and precious metals are the world's greatest single source of
nickel.1
Nickel has an atomic number of 28 and is one of the transition elements in the fourth series in
the periodic table. The atomic weight is 58.71 and density is 8.902 g/cm3. Useful properties of the
element are the modulus of elasticity and its magnetic and magnetostrictive properties, and high
thermal and electrical conductivity. Hydrogen is readily adsorbed on the surface of nickel. Nickel
will also adsorb other gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ethylene. It is this capability
of surface adsorption of certain gases without forming stable compounds that makes nickel
an important catalyst.2
As an alloying element, nickel is used in hardenable steels, stainless steels, special corrosionresistant
and high-temperature alloys, copper-nickel, "nickel-silvers," and aluminum-nickel. Nickel
imparts ductility and toughness to cast iron.
Approximately 10% of the total annual production of nickel is consumed by electroplating processes.
Nickel can be electrodeposited to develop mechanical properties of the same order as wrought
nickel; however, special plating baths are available that will yield nickel deposits possessing a hardness
as high as 450 Vickers (425 BHN). The most extensive use of nickel plate is for corrosion
protection of iron and steel parts and zinc-base die castings used in the automotive field. For these
applications, a layer of nickel, 0.0015-0.003 in. thick, is used. This nickel plate is then finished or
covered with a chromium plate consisting in thickness of about 1% of the underlying nickel plate
thickness in order to maintain a brilliant, tarnish-free, hard exterior surface.
5.2 NICKELALLOYS
Most of the alloys listed and discussed are in commercial production. However, producers from time
to time introduce improved modifications that make previous alloys obsolete. For this reason, or
economic reasons, they may remove certain alloys from their commercial product line. Some of these
alloys have been included to show how a particular composition compares with the strength or
corrosion resistance of currently produced commercial alloys.
5.2.1 Classification of Alloys
Nickel and its alloys can be classified into the following groups on the basis of chemical composition.3
Nickel
(1) Pure nickel, electrolytic (99.56% Ni), carbonyl nickel powder and pellet (99.95% Ni); (2) commercially
pure wrought nickel (99.6-99.97% nickel); and (3) anodes (99.3% Ni).
Nickel and Copper
(1) Low-nickel alloys (2-13% Ni); (2) cupronickels (10-30% Ni); (3) coinage alloy (25% Ni); (4)
electrical resistance alloy (45% Ni); (5) nonmagnetic alloys (up to 60% Ni); and (6) high-nickel
alloys, Monel (over 50% Ni).
Nickel and Iron
Wrought alloy steels (0.5-9% Ni); (2) cast alloy steels (0.5-9% Ni); (3) alloy cast irons (1-6 and
14-36% Ni); (4) magnetic alloys (20-90% Ni): (a) controlled coefficient of expansion (COE) alloys
(29.5-32.5% Ni) and (b) high-permeability alloys (49-80% Ni); (5) nonmagnetic alloys (10-20%
Ni); (6) clad steels (5-40% Ni); (7) thermal expansion alloys: (a) low expansion (36-50% Ni) and
(b) selected expansion (22-50% Ni).
Iron, Nickel, and Chromium
(1) Heat-resisting alloys (40-85% Ni); (2) electrical resistance alloys (35-60% Ni); (3) iron-base
superalloys (9-26% Ni); (4) stainless steels (2-25% Ni); (5) valve steels (2-13% Ni); (6) iron-base
superalloys (0.2-9% Ni); (7) maraging steels (18% Ni).
Nickel, Chromium, Molybdenum, and Iron
(1) Nickel-base solution-strengthened alloys (40-70% Ni); (2) nickel-base precipitation-strengthened
alloys (40-80% Ni).
Powder-Metallurgy Alloys
(1) Nickel-base dispersion strengthened (78-98% Ni); (2) nickel-base mechanically alloyed oxidedispersion-
strengthened (ODS) alloys (69-80% Ni).
The nominal chemical composition of nickel-base alloys is given in Table 5.1. This table does
not include alloys with less than 30% Ni, cast alloys, or welding products. For these and those alloys
not listed, the chemical composition and applicable specifications can be found in the Unified Numbering
System for Metals and Alloys, published by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
5.2.2 Discussion and Applications
The same grouping of alloys used in Tables 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3, which give chemical composition and
mechanical properties, will be used for discussion of the various attributes and uses of the alloys as
a group. Many of the alloy designations are registered trademarks of producer companies.
Nickel Alloys
The corrosion resistance of nickel makes it particularly useful for maintaining product purity in the
handling of foods, synthetic fibers, and caustic alkalies, and also in structural applications where
resistance to corrosion is a prime consideration. It is a general-purpose material used when the special
properties of the other nickel alloys are not required. Other useful features of the alloy are its magnetic
and magnetostrictive properties; high thermal and electrical conductivity; low gas content; and low
vapor pressure.4
Typical nickel 200 applications are food-processing equipment, chemical shipping drums, electrical
and electronic parts, aerospace and missile components, caustic handling equipment and piping,
and transducers.
Nickel 201 is preferred to nickel 200 for applications involving exposure to temperatures above
3160C (60O0F). Nickel 201 is used as coinage, plater bars, and combustion boats in addition to some
of the applications for Nickel 200.
Permanickel alloy 300 by virtue of the magnesium content is age-hardenable. But, because of its
low alloy content, alloy 300 retains many of the characteristics of nickel. Typical applications are
the earth's crust. This is greater than the total for copper, zinc, and lead. However, few of these
deposits scattered throughout the world are of commercial importance. Oxide ores commonly called
laterites are largely distributed in the tropics. The igneous rocks contain high magnesium contents
and have been concentrated by weathering. Of the total known ore deposits, more than 80% is
contained in laterite ores. The sulfide ores found in the northern hemispheres do not easily concentrate
by weathering. The sulfide ores in the Sudbury district of Ontario, which contain important byproducts
such as copper, cobalt, iron, and precious metals are the world's greatest single source of
nickel.1
Nickel has an atomic number of 28 and is one of the transition elements in the fourth series in
the periodic table. The atomic weight is 58.71 and density is 8.902 g/cm3. Useful properties of the
element are the modulus of elasticity and its magnetic and magnetostrictive properties, and high
thermal and electrical conductivity. Hydrogen is readily adsorbed on the surface of nickel. Nickel
will also adsorb other gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ethylene. It is this capability
of surface adsorption of certain gases without forming stable compounds that makes nickel
an important catalyst.2
As an alloying element, nickel is used in hardenable steels, stainless steels, special corrosionresistant
and high-temperature alloys, copper-nickel, "nickel-silvers," and aluminum-nickel. Nickel
imparts ductility and toughness to cast iron.
Approximately 10% of the total annual production of nickel is consumed by electroplating processes.
Nickel can be electrodeposited to develop mechanical properties of the same order as wrought
nickel; however, special plating baths are available that will yield nickel deposits possessing a hardness
as high as 450 Vickers (425 BHN). The most extensive use of nickel plate is for corrosion
protection of iron and steel parts and zinc-base die castings used in the automotive field. For these
applications, a layer of nickel, 0.0015-0.003 in. thick, is used. This nickel plate is then finished or
covered with a chromium plate consisting in thickness of about 1% of the underlying nickel plate
thickness in order to maintain a brilliant, tarnish-free, hard exterior surface.
5.2 NICKELALLOYS
Most of the alloys listed and discussed are in commercial production. However, producers from time
to time introduce improved modifications that make previous alloys obsolete. For this reason, or
economic reasons, they may remove certain alloys from their commercial product line. Some of these
alloys have been included to show how a particular composition compares with the strength or
corrosion resistance of currently produced commercial alloys.
5.2.1 Classification of Alloys
Nickel and its alloys can be classified into the following groups on the basis of chemical composition.3
Nickel
(1) Pure nickel, electrolytic (99.56% Ni), carbonyl nickel powder and pellet (99.95% Ni); (2) commercially
pure wrought nickel (99.6-99.97% nickel); and (3) anodes (99.3% Ni).
Nickel and Copper
(1) Low-nickel alloys (2-13% Ni); (2) cupronickels (10-30% Ni); (3) coinage alloy (25% Ni); (4)
electrical resistance alloy (45% Ni); (5) nonmagnetic alloys (up to 60% Ni); and (6) high-nickel
alloys, Monel (over 50% Ni).
Nickel and Iron
Wrought alloy steels (0.5-9% Ni); (2) cast alloy steels (0.5-9% Ni); (3) alloy cast irons (1-6 and
14-36% Ni); (4) magnetic alloys (20-90% Ni): (a) controlled coefficient of expansion (COE) alloys
(29.5-32.5% Ni) and (b) high-permeability alloys (49-80% Ni); (5) nonmagnetic alloys (10-20%
Ni); (6) clad steels (5-40% Ni); (7) thermal expansion alloys: (a) low expansion (36-50% Ni) and
(b) selected expansion (22-50% Ni).
Iron, Nickel, and Chromium
(1) Heat-resisting alloys (40-85% Ni); (2) electrical resistance alloys (35-60% Ni); (3) iron-base
superalloys (9-26% Ni); (4) stainless steels (2-25% Ni); (5) valve steels (2-13% Ni); (6) iron-base
superalloys (0.2-9% Ni); (7) maraging steels (18% Ni).
Nickel, Chromium, Molybdenum, and Iron
(1) Nickel-base solution-strengthened alloys (40-70% Ni); (2) nickel-base precipitation-strengthened
alloys (40-80% Ni).
Powder-Metallurgy Alloys
(1) Nickel-base dispersion strengthened (78-98% Ni); (2) nickel-base mechanically alloyed oxidedispersion-
strengthened (ODS) alloys (69-80% Ni).
The nominal chemical composition of nickel-base alloys is given in Table 5.1. This table does
not include alloys with less than 30% Ni, cast alloys, or welding products. For these and those alloys
not listed, the chemical composition and applicable specifications can be found in the Unified Numbering
System for Metals and Alloys, published by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
5.2.2 Discussion and Applications
The same grouping of alloys used in Tables 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3, which give chemical composition and
mechanical properties, will be used for discussion of the various attributes and uses of the alloys as
a group. Many of the alloy designations are registered trademarks of producer companies.
Nickel Alloys
The corrosion resistance of nickel makes it particularly useful for maintaining product purity in the
handling of foods, synthetic fibers, and caustic alkalies, and also in structural applications where
resistance to corrosion is a prime consideration. It is a general-purpose material used when the special
properties of the other nickel alloys are not required. Other useful features of the alloy are its magnetic
and magnetostrictive properties; high thermal and electrical conductivity; low gas content; and low
vapor pressure.4
Typical nickel 200 applications are food-processing equipment, chemical shipping drums, electrical
and electronic parts, aerospace and missile components, caustic handling equipment and piping,
and transducers.
Nickel 201 is preferred to nickel 200 for applications involving exposure to temperatures above
3160C (60O0F). Nickel 201 is used as coinage, plater bars, and combustion boats in addition to some
of the applications for Nickel 200.
Permanickel alloy 300 by virtue of the magnesium content is age-hardenable. But, because of its
low alloy content, alloy 300 retains many of the characteristics of nickel. Typical applications are
No comments:
Post a Comment