| Nickel has been used for thousands of years for as | | | | alloys has been in Aerospace. Its corrosion and heat |
| many applications but it was only in the 18th century | | | | resistance made it the ideal candidate for early |
| that it was classified as a chemical element. Since then | | | | prototype jet engines in the 1940's. Even since, civil and |
| Nickel and Cobalt have been used to manufacture | | | | military aircraft have made use of it in engines, turbines |
| metal components for many different applications. As | | | | and exhaust systems. Its conductive property has also |
| production methods were refined, they were mixed | | | | been an advantage when creating the ever more |
| with other elements to create alloys. Alloys have | | | | complicated electrical systems used in aircraft and |
| different properties to their component elements once | | | | even space craft, today. The automotive industry has |
| they are combined. This allowed manufacturers to | | | | also made use of Nickel alloys in exhaust systems, |
| create metal to different specifications depending on | | | | spark plugs and electrical equipment. |
| the intended use or application. This has given rise to | | | | Nickel Alloys are also used in most areas of fuel |
| several registered trademarks which describe | | | | extraction, processing and power generation plants. Oil |
| particular mixtures. | | | | and gas rigs make use of it for tubing. The combination |
| Early rechargeable batteries used Nickel mixed with | | | | of good heat and corrosion resistance make it the |
| Cadmium however these are becoming increasingly | | | | ideal material. Petrochemical plants also use it for |
| rare as they can be out performed by Lithium-Ion | | | | vessels, tubing and heat exchangers to name a few. |
| batteries. Despite more modern materials being used in | | | | Amongst the most recent applications in this industry |
| replacement of Nickel alloys, there is still a huge | | | | are solar engineering and nuclear reactors. |
| demand for it so what makes it useful? | | | | Sectors which require equipment to withstand high |
| Properties | | | | temperatures on a regular basis also make use of |
| Products made from Nickel alloys can be used to | | | | Nickel alloys. Heat treatment and processing plants use |
| conduct heat while retaining their strength which | | | | it is several areas. These alloys are primarily designed |
| makes it very useful in a number of industrial situations. | | | | to withstand high temperatures. |
| It will also conduct electricity efficiently which makes it | | | | Nickel alloys are also used domestically for electrical |
| useful in electronics. They can also be resistant to | | | | resistance heating (or electrical cookers). These come |
| corrosion which makes it ideal for use around water. In | | | | in wire, ribbon or strip forms depending on the design |
| addition these properties can be fine tuned allowing an | | | | of the appliance. |
| engineer to choose an alloy based on what it will | | | | These applications will keep Nickel alloys in production |
| eventually be used for. | | | | for years to come and make Nickel one of the most |
| Industries | | | | versatile elements known to man. |
| One of the most prominent, recent, uses for Nickel | | | | |