Category: Transition metal
Atomic Number: 28
Period: 4 | Group: 10
Block: d-block
Tough, corrosion-resistant and magnetic — and the second-biggest ingredient in stainless steel.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Density | N/A |
| Melting Point | 1728.00 K (1454.85 °C) |
| Boiling Point | 3186.00 K (2912.85 °C) |
| Heat Capacity | N/A |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Mass | 58.6934 u |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | N/A |
| Oxidation States | -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4 |
| Electron Configuration |
| Discovered By | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Discovery Year | 1751 |
| Named After | German Kupfernickel, "devil's copper" |
The Deceiving Copper Ore
Axel Fredrik Cronstedt (1722-1765), a Swedish mineralogist, discovered nickel in 1751 while attempting to extract copper from kupfernickel ore (now known as nickeline, NiAs). German miners had named this troublesome ore "kupfernickel" (meaning "Devil's copper") because it resembled copper ore but yielded no copper and produced toxic arsenic fumes when smelted.
Systematic Investigation
Cronstedt's careful analysis revealed that kupfernickel contained a previously unknown white metal with properties distinct from all known elements. His isolation techniques involved roasting the ore to remove arsenic, then reducing the resulting oxide with charcoal to produce metallic nickel.
Industrial Development
Commercial nickel production began in the 1860s with the development of New Caledonian laterite processing . The discovery of the Sudbury deposits in 1883 following railroad construction transformed nickel from laboratory curiosity to strategic industrial material, enabling stainless steel development and modern metallurgy.
| ISOTOPE | Neutrons | Natural Abundance | Half-life | Decay Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ni-58 | 30 | 68.0769% | Stable | - |
| Ni-60 | 32 | 26.2231% | Stable | - |
| Ni-61 | 33 | 1.1399% | Stable | - |
| Ni-62 | 34 | 3.6345% | Stable | - |
| Ni-63 | 35 | - | 101.2 yrs | β⁻ |
| Ni-64 | 36 | 0.9256% | Stable | - |
Data: IAEA Nuclear Data Section, LiveChart of Nuclides, ground-state evaluations, retrieved October 10, 2026. Abundance is the share of atoms in the natural element; a dash means the isotope has no standard natural abundance.
Nickel: The Corrosion Fighter
Nickel transforms steel from rust-prone iron into corrosion-resistant alloys that build chemical plants, food processing equipment, and architectural marvels. This versatile metal enables both the smallest electronic components and the largest industrial infrastructure through its remarkable chemical stability.
Stainless Steel Enhancement
Austenitic stainless steels containing 8-12% nickel provide superior corrosion resistance and formability compared to ferritic grades. Type 304 stainless steel (18% chromium, 8% nickel) dominates food processing, pharmaceutical, and architectural applications. Duplex stainless steels use nickel to balance ferrite and austenite phases, achieving exceptional strength and corrosion resistance for marine and chemical applications.
Superalloy Applications
Nickel-based superalloys like Inconel and Hastelloy maintain strength and oxidation resistance at temperatures exceeding 1000°C. These alloys enable jet engine hot sections, gas turbine components, and chemical processing equipment operating under harsh conditions. Single-crystal turbine blades cast from nickel superalloys allow modern engines to achieve high efficiency and reliability.
Battery Technology
Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries power hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius, providing reliable energy storage with excellent cycle life. Lithium-ion batteries increasingly use nickel-rich cathodes (NCM 811: 80% nickel, 10% cobalt, 10% manganese) to improve energy density while reducing cobalt dependence in electric vehicle applications.
Electroplating and Coatings
Nickel electroplating provides corrosion protection and decorative finishes for automotive parts, plumbing fixtures, and electronic components. Electroless nickel plating creates uniform coatings on complex geometries without electrical connections, essential for computer hard drives, aerospace components, and precision instrumentation.
| Earth's Crust | N/A |
|---|---|
| Universe | N/A |