Tag: nickel

What are nickel alloys?

Nickel-based alloys are a group of metallic materials composed primarily of nickel with the addition of various other elements. These alloys exhibit exceptional corrosion resistance, high-temperature strength, and excellent mechanical properties. They are widely used in industries such as aerospace, chemical processing, power generation, and oil and gas. Nickel-based alloys can be tailored to meet specific requirements by adjusting the composition and heat treatment processes.

Why select nickel based alloys?

There are several reasons to select nickel alloys or Ni-hard for various applications: the corrosion resistance, high-temperature strength, oxidation resistance, it’s versatility, high strength and toughness, the compatibility with other materials and finally its electrical and magnetic properties.

Stainless alloys for high temperature applications

US-based scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created proprietary stainless steel alloys designed to allow increased operating temperatures and efficiency in energy production systems.

European steelmakers up stainless alloy surcharge

Main European stainless steel markers have increased alloy surcharges on austenitic stainless steel for July deliveries.

Jindal’s nickel consumption to double

India's largest stainless steel maker, Jindal Stainless Ltd, expects its monthly nickel consumption to double to more than 1600tns when a new plant starts operation in three years, a top company official said.

YUSCO increases no-nickel stainless output

Yieh United Steel Corp. (YUSCO) has reported that it has boosted its output of products that do not use nickel by 20% and plans further increases as nickel costs soar, joining a global trend of substitution and production cutbacks as prices for nickel are at record levels.

Nickel-free grades promoted

Stainless steel producers have taken on board customer backlash against the rising cost of nickel.

Talvivaara nickel mining project

Outokumpu has decided to exercise its option to acquire a 20% stake in the Talvivaara nickel mining project company for a total consideration of EUR 1.

Outokumpu expands ferritics

Finland-based producer Outokumpu has decided to step up production of ferritic stainless steels due to a shift in the stainless steel market away from using austenitic (high nickel content) grades.

Stainless production grows

The International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) expects that stainless crude steel production in 2007 will be higher than the record-level of production in 2006, mostly driven by recovery from 2005 and some restocking.

Nickel hits new high

Nickel has hit a new high on the London Metal Exchange (LME) on 9 May of this year.

Low-nickel stainless rebar

In order to mitigate the market influence caused by high nickel prices, Carpenter Technology Corp. (USA), a global manufacturer of stainless steel, has developed a new stainless reinforcing bar with lower nickel compositions.


Nickel alloys or Ni-Hard find extensive use in a wide range of applications across various industries due to their desirable properties. Some common applications include:

Aerospace Industry: Nickel alloys are utilized in aircraft engines, gas turbines, and other aerospace components due to their high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and excellent mechanical properties.

Chemical Processing: Nickel alloys are well-suited for chemical plants where they are used in reactors, heat exchangers, piping systems, and valves. Their exceptional resistance to corrosion and high-temperature environments make them ideal for handling corrosive chemicals and acids.

Oil and Gas Industry: Nickel alloys are crucial in this industry for applications such as oil well drilling tools, valves, pumps, and tubing. Their resistance to corrosion, high strength, and ability to withstand harsh environments make them suitable for offshore and onshore operations.

Power Generation: Nickel alloys are used in power plants, particularly in turbines, generators, and heat exchangers. Their high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance make them ideal for efficient energy production.

Medical Industry: Nickel alloys find applications in medical devices such as implants, surgical instruments, and dental equipment. They offer biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength necessary for medical applications.

Automotive Industry: Nickel alloys are employed in exhaust systems, catalytic converters, and engine components due to their high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance.

Marine Industry: Nickel alloys are used in marine applications, including shipbuilding and offshore structures, due to their resistance to seawater corrosion and high strength.

These are just a few examples, and nickel alloys have numerous other applications in fields such as desalination, food processing, nuclear power, and more.