Nickel

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

in chemistry, symbol, Ni; at. wt., 58.7. A tetrad-metallic element, discovered by Cronstedt in 1751, in combination with arsenic, in the copper-colored mineral arsenide of nickel; called by the miners kupfernickel. Its preparation is effected in various ways, the methods involving first the separation of the arsenic, copper, etc., with hydric-sulphide, and that of cobalt by chloride of lime or nitrite of potash. The solution of pure nickel is precipitated by potash, and the dry oxide mixed with oil or charcoal and exposed in a crucible to the heat of a blast furnace, whereby the metal is obtained as a fused mass. Nickel is silverwhite, malleable and ductile, and as infusible as iron. Sp. gr., 8.28-8.66. It is magnetic at ordinary temperatures and dissolves in dilute sulphuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids. Nickel forms several alloys, the most important being known as German - silver. Also, in the States, a popular name for a small consisting of nickel, value five Nickel - arsenate = Annabergite, and thiosite; nickel-arsenide = Chloanthite, and STEEL. Nickeline, and Rammelsbergite; nickelbismuth = Grünauite; nickel-carbonate and nickel-hydrate = Texasite; nickelglance Gersdorffite; nickel-green = = Annabergite; nickel-gymnite = Genthite; nickel-ocher, nickel-bloom = Annabergite; nickel-oxide = Bunsenite; nickelpyrites = Millerite; nickel-silicate Alipite, Genthite, Noumeite, and Pimelite; nickel-sulphate = Morenosite; nickel-sulphide Millerite; nickel-stibine = = Ulmannite; nickel-vitriol = nosite. NICKEL STEEL. Iron has a strong affinity for nickel, and alloys with it in all proportions very readily. The following is the average composition of nickel steel as made in the United States: Carbon 0.24-0.28 per cent. Sulphur 0.02-0.03 Manganese 0.60-0.70 Phosphorus 0.01-0.03 Nickel 3.00-5.00 .. Physical Properties. - Resistance to corrosion is its principal peculiarity. Numerous tests have been made, especially in sea water, which is very destructive to iron or steel, the results of which have demonstrated the fact that nickel steel when used alone would outlast the best of ordinary steels. This was proved by tests with propellers, torpedo netting, metal sheathing for vessel bottoms, etc. There seems some doubt, however, as to its applicability to boilers, where its high elastic limit would permit much lighter construction. Some experiments indicate that nickel steel corrodes rapidly in pure water and in the presence of various boiler compounds, while on the other hand an English authority cites an experiment indicating a corrosion of but one-half to three-quarters that of ordinary steels. Nickel steel is a noble metal, for while it has a remarkable resistance to applied stresses, yet it is almost as easily worked as soft steel, is not brittle while hot or cold, is not much affected by tempering or annealing as compared with carbon steel, and is remarkably homogeneous. It is very common for tempered nickel steel to have a tensile strength of 200,- 000 pounds per square inch without being brittle. If we compare this with the 60,000 pounds for low carbon steel, we see that there is still plenty of room at the top, for most of the steel used today is low in carbon. Commander Eaton, U. S. N., says that the United States Government first bought nickel to use in United steel in 1890, that the first nickel steel coin, plate was tested in 1893, in July, and for cents. a time all armor for United States ves- Xan- sels was made of nickel steel. See IRON