What are the advantages and disadvantages of using nickel as a material for engineering applications? (2024)

Nickel is a ductile, malleable, and lustrous metal that belongs to the transition group of elements. It has a high melting point, a high density, and a moderate thermal and electrical conductivity. Nickel also has a high resistance to oxidation and corrosion, especially in acidic and alkaline environments. Nickel can form various alloys with other metals, such as copper, iron, chromium, and cobalt, to enhance its strength, hardness, toughness, and wear resistance.

One of the main advantages of nickel is its ability to form alloys with different properties for various engineering applications. For example, nickel-chromium alloys are used for high-temperature and high-pressure applications, such as gas turbines, jet engines, and nuclear reactors. Nickel-copper alloys are used for marine and chemical applications, such as piping, valves, and pumps. Nickel-iron alloys are used for magnetic and electrical applications, such as transformers, generators, and sensors. Nickel-cobalt alloys are used for aerospace and biomedical applications, such as rocket engines, implants, and prosthetics.

Another advantage of nickel is its low coefficient of thermal expansion, which means it does not expand or contract much when heated or cooled. This makes it suitable for applications that require dimensional stability and thermal compatibility, such as electronic components, optical devices, and precision instruments.

One of the main disadvantages of nickel is its high cost, which limits its use in some engineering applications. Nickel is a scarce and expensive metal that requires complex and energy-intensive extraction and processing methods. The price of nickel can fluctuate depending on the market demand and supply, as well as the environmental and social impacts of mining and refining.

Another disadvantage of nickel is its potential health and environmental hazards, which require careful handling and disposal. Nickel can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, respiratory problems, and cancer in some people who are exposed to it. Nickel can also contaminate the soil, water, and air when it is released from mining, smelting, or manufacturing activities. Nickel can also pose a fire and explosion risk when it is in contact with certain chemicals or oxidizing agents.

To ensure the quality and performance of nickel and its alloys, various testing methods are employed to measure and evaluate their physical, mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties. Tensile testing assesses the strength and ductility of the material by applying a tensile force until it breaks or deforms. Hardness testing measures the resistance to indentation or scratching by applying a fixed load with a sharp or blunt indenter. Corrosion testing evaluates the resistance to degradation or deterioration by various corrosive agents such as acids, bases, salts, or gases. Electrical testing gauges the conductivity, resistivity, and magnetism by applying an electric current or a magnetic field. The results of these tests can reveal the stress, strain, modulus of elasticity, yield strength, ultimate strength, elongation, hardness, wear resistance, toughness, corrosion rate, corrosion potential, corrosion resistance, pitting resistance, ohmic resistance, eddy current, hysteresis permeability and coercivity of the material.

Poisson's ratio and shear modulus are two important parameters that describe the elastic behavior of nickel and its alloys under stress. Poisson's ratio is the ratio of the lateral strain to the axial strain when a material is stretched or compressed. Shear modulus is the ratio of the shear stress to the shear strain when a material is twisted or distorted. These parameters can affect the stiffness, deformation, vibration, and stability of nickel and its alloys in engineering applications.

The Poisson's ratio of pure nickel is about 0.31, which means that it contracts slightly in the lateral direction when it is stretched in the axial direction, and vice versa. The Poisson's ratio of nickel alloys can vary depending on their composition and structure, but it is usually between 0.25 and 0.35. The shear modulus of pure nickel is about 76 GPa, which means that it resists shear deformation moderately when it is twisted or distorted. The shear modulus of nickel alloys can also vary depending on their composition and structure, but it is usually between 50 and 100 GPa.

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Materials Testing

+ Follow

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.