Nickel - Uses of Nickel & Chemical Properties of Nickel, [NiCl4]2− Geometry (2024)

FAQs

What are the chemical properties for nickels? ›

Nickel steel is used for armour plating. Other alloys of nickel are used in boat propeller shafts and turbine blades. Nickel is used in batteries, including rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries used in hybrid vehicles. Nickel has a long history of being used in coins.

Geometry. Nickel atoms can connect to surrounding atoms or ligands in a variety of ways. Six coordinated nickel is the most common and is octahedral, but this can be distorted if ligands are not equivalent. For four coordinate nickel arrangements can be square planar, or tetrahedral.

It imparts such desirable properties as corrosion resistance, heat resistance, hardness, and strength. Nickel salts are used in electroplating, ceramics, pigments, and as intermediates (e.g. catalysts, formation of other nickel compounds).

The most dangerous form is nickel carbonyl, commonly associated with occupational exposure, which can cause respiratory tract irritation and other nonspecific symptoms. Chronic nickel toxicity can manifest as sinusitis, occupational asthma, and dermatitis.

The most common health effect is an allergic reaction in the form of itchy rash (contact dermatitis). This can happen where your skin comes in direct contact with nickel or on another place on your body not directly exposed. Globally, an estimated 11-16% of the population may have allergic skin reactions to nickel.

Nickel is also an micronutritient essential for proper functioning of the human body, as it increases hormonal activity and is involved in lipid metabolism. This metal makes it's way to the human body through respiratory tract, digestive system and skin.

Nickel-containing household objects include faucets, kitchen utensils, appliances, rechargeable batteries (nickel-cadmium or Ni-Cad variety), jewelry and of course coins. Like the ancients, most of us probably use nickel products without even knowing it.

Does Nickel Rust or Corrode? Nickel doesn't rust as it doesn't contain iron. Pure nickel is very corrosion resistant, especially to a variety of reducing chemicals. Alloying it with chromium gives resistance to oxidation.

The Nickel Institute says that nickel is highly ductile, corrosion and oxidation resistant and 100 percent recyclable. These characteristics make it essential for building infrastructure, chemical production, communications, energy supply, environmental protection and food preparation.

What dissolves nickel? ›

Nickel metal is relatively resistant to corrosion. It dissolves in dilute mineral acids and is insoluble in concentrated nitric acid. Water solubility of nickel compounds vary. Nickel acetate, bromide, chloride, iodide, nitrate and sulfate are soluble in water.

Nickel and its compounds have no characteristic odor or taste.

About 68% of world production is used in stainless steel. A further 10% is used for nickel-based and copper-based alloys, 9% for plating, 7% for alloy steels, 3% in foundries, and 4% in other applications such as in rechargeable batteries, including those in electric vehicles (EVs).

Depending on the dose and length of exposure, as an immunotoxic and carcinogen agent, Ni can cause a variety of health effects, such as contact dermatitis, cardiovascular disease, asthma, lung fibrosis, and respiratory tract cancer [14].

Nickel compounds covered by this article include nickel acetate (CASR# 373-02-4), nickel carbonate (CASR# 3333-67-3), nickel chloride (CASR# 7718-54-9), nickel hydroxide (CAS #12054-48-7), nickel nitrate (CASR# 13138-45-9), nickel oxide (CAS #1313-99-1), and nickel sulfate (CASR# 7786-81-4).

Pre-1982 penny composition is 95% copper and 5% zinc. Post-1982 penny composition is 97% zinc with a thin coating of copper. The melting point of copper is 1083˚C , and the melting point of zinc is 419˚C. Thus, the melting point of a post-82 penny will be much lower than a pre-82 penny.

A nickel is a five-cent coin struck by the United States Mint. Composed of cupronickel (75% copper and 25% nickel), the piece has been issued since 1866. Its diameter is 0.835 inches (21.21 mm) and its thickness is 0.077 inches (1.95 mm).