NICKEL

Nickel is one of the main elements in the Earth's crust and has been used in industry for nearly a century. It is found in nature mainly in the form of sulphur, arsenide and silicate (of lateritic origin) together with iron. Nickel (NiAs), chloantite (NiAs2), pentlandite [(Fe,Ni)S], millerite (NiS), annabergite [(Ni)3(AsO4)28H2O] can be counted among the most important nickel minerals.

It is one of the most widely used metals in the industry due to its outstanding qualities. It is a metal with a wide range of uses, both as metals and alloys and as stainless steel. Forged and cast nickel which is pure (99.5%) has wide and important commercial usage areas in terms of industry. The reason for this is the good mechanical and physical properties that nickel has, as well as its high resistance to corrosion.

Nickel, which is available in many commercial forms, can be easily processed cold and hot, welded, and used in turning lathes, also preserves its strength perfectly at high temperatures and its ductility and toughness at sub-zero temperatures, as well as its strength. Processed nickel is similar to soft steel in most of its mechanical properties, but, unlike steel, it shows high resistance to corrosion.