Nickel Alloy
Nickel alloy is a metallic material made from a combination of nickel and one or more other elements. Nickel is one of the five different ferromagnetic elements, which means that is exhibits magnetic properties. There are a variety of nickel alloys, the most prevalent being stainless steel and copper-nickel.
The composition of stainless steel is chiefly iron, but it includes a minimum composition of ten percent chromium and a smaller percentage of nickel as well. The added chromium and nickel make stainless steel resistant to rust. Because it is highly hygienic, stainless steel is commonly used to manufacture products that require sanitary conditions, such as flatware, medical instruments, and dental tools. It is also common in applications that require contact with corrosive chemicals.
The alloy composed of copper and nickel, often referred to as cupronickel, features resistance to corrosion from salt water. For this reason, it is often used to make components for the marine industry.
Some other common nickel alloys include kamacite, a naturally occuring mineral found in meteorites; alnico, the aluminum-nickel-cobalt metal alloy most often used in magnets; and the copper alloy used to make the United States nickel coin.