Nickel Suppliers
Nickel suppliers deliver high-purity nickel and a wide range of nickel alloys to various industries for further processing. Nickel and its alloys are valued for their malleability, moderate ferromagnetic properties, hardness, ductility, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. This silvery white metal is available in multiple forms, including sheet, rods, foil, bars, plates, wire, and mesh. Extracted from natural ore through advanced metallurgy, nickel is refined for commercial and industrial use.
Quick links to Nickel Suppliers Information
Applications of Nickel
The primary application of nickel after extraction is in manufacturing stainless steel. Consequently, nickel suppliers often cater to stainless steel and low alloy steel foundries as well as chemical processing companies. Electroplating is another leading use of nickel because nickel alloys offer strong resistance to rust and oxidation, and can be plated onto a wide variety of materials.
Common uses for electroless nickel plating include:
- Electronic Connectors
- Automobile Trim
- Bathroom Fittings
Most nickel suppliers offer nickel and nickel alloys in numerous shapes and sizes. These can be forged into various forms such as flat bars, rings, or disks. Nickel alloys are also utilized in the production of guitar strings, magnets, coins, and rechargeable batteries.
Key industries that rely on nickel alloys include:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Medical
- Food Service
Notable Types of Nickel Alloys
Nickel suppliers offer a wide variety of nickel alloys, which are often combined with metals like copper, chromium, lead, silver, cobalt, gold, and aluminum. The nickel content in these alloys typically ranges from 32.5% to 99.5%. Some nickel alloys are more frequently supplied as standard stock than others due to higher demand. Nickel alloys, with nickel as the primary element, are generally classified into four main categories: low-expansion alloys, electrical resistance alloys, soft magnetic alloys, and shape memory alloys. Electrical resistance alloys are further divided into resistance and heating alloys. Low-expansion alloys are engineered for minimal thermal expansion and include Invar, Kovar, Inconel 718, nickel-cobalt alloys, and nickel alloy 625. Electrical resistance alloys contain high nickel content and include Nichrome and copper-nickel alloys. Soft magnetic alloys, such as iron-nickel alloys, feature high magnetic permeability and low saturation induction. Shape memory alloys, like copper-aluminum-nickel and nickel-titanium alloys, can return to their original shape when subjected to specific temperature changes.