Nickel density and other properties. Nickel ores

Nickel (Ni) is a chemical element of the periodic system of Mendeleyev, which enters the triad of Fe, Co, Ni. Nickel is a metal of white color with a noticeable silvery tint. It fits well with other metals, forming alloys.

Opening of nickel

Nickel ore was first discovered by a chemist from Sweden A. Kronstedt in 1751. Long before its discovery miners from Saxony knew the ore, which looked like copper. It was used by glassware to make the products green. Often steelworkers of that time tried to get copper from this alloy, but all their attempts failed. Therefore, at the end of the XVII century. Metal nickel got its first name - "kupfernickel", which in translation meant "devil's ore." Mineralogist Kronstedt managed to get the green oxide, and by repairing the latter, nickel itself was obtained.

Further, the research of the metal was carried out by scientist Bergman. Having received it in its pure form, he was able to establish that the properties of nickel are close to the features of iron. In more detail, this metal was studied by other researchers, beginning with Proust. Gradually, it was found out its various properties, including the density of nickel. In fact, the word "nickel" is a curse of miners. It came from a distorted Niccolaus and served as the nickname for two-faced, deceitful people. The second meaning of this word was "mischievous spirit", "loafer".

Nickel density and other properties

Nickel has such properties as ductility and ductility. These characteristics make it easy to expose it to hire. From the metal sheets and pipes are obtained. Nickel is a fairly strong material. Its ultimate strength is 450 MPa. At the same time, it is highly plastic, and also has a high anti-corrosion resistance. The thermal conductivity of nickel is 90.1 W / (m · K) (at 25 ° C).

The extracted ores consist of five stable isotopes. Nickel belongs to the category of heavy metals. The density of nickel is 8902 kg / m ³ . This is twice as large as that of titanium, but in terms of its numerical value is equal to the density of copper.

Is nickel covered with rust?

Nickel is resistant to high temperatures. If this metal is used in industrial conditions, it is often coated with an oxide film, while a little fading. It is also not rusted. Do not act on it and acids - neither organic nor inorganic. Rust does not cover this metal even in hot spirits. Therefore, nickel is often used in the food industry.

Where can nickel be corroded?

In total there are several environments where this metal can be destroyed. Firstly, it is sea water. Further, alkaline solutions of hypochlorites affect it poorly. Corrosive also causes sulfur, salt solutions, ammonia water.

Nickel alloys

This metal is a good additive to steel. It increases its plasticity and strength. Addition of nickel and chromium in the alloys provides high corrosion resistance properties of steels. Widely used in the industry are chromium-nickel stainless steels, which at the same time have a high level of heat resistance.

And in chemistry, alloys are known, where nickel is the main element. The density of nickel allows it to be used in alloys with iron, aluminum, manganese, chromium and silicon. Such alloys are used to create heaters. They have a high level of magnetic permeability. Also in the engineering industry, cast iron is used, in which nickel is added. The industrial production of this metal began about a hundred years ago. At the same time, about 80% of the total nickel is used for the nickel plating of steel and the production of alloys.

Other applications of metal

Nickel and its alloys are used not only for the production of stainless steels. Metal and alloys with his participation are used in the creation of chemical equipment, shipbuilding. Nichrome and chromel are the constituent elements of household appliances: toasters, irons, and also heaters. Other alloys are used in the construction of sea ships. Nickel coatings often carry a decorative function.

Toxicity of metal

In large quantities, nickel can have a dangerous effect on the body. Increased its content in food can speak of a direct threat to health. The most common consequence of excessive ingestion of nickel is an allergy. It also causes bronchitis, kidney disease and lung cancer. But the toxicity of nickel appears only if it is in the body in large quantities.