What are Nickel? Ferronickel? Nickel Pig Iron? Nickel-based Alloys?

Through this article, KAYSUNS, the stainless steel pipe fittings supplier will introduce to you what nickel, nickel iron, nickel pig iron and nickel-based alloys are, their characteristics, uses, etc.

Nickel

Nickel is a transition metal element, element symbol Ni, located in group VIII of the fourth period, atomic number 28. Nickel is mainly used in the fields of steel, nickel based alloys, electroplating and batteries, and is widely used in various military manufacturing industries such as aircraft and radar, civil machinery manufacturing and electroplating industries. Nickel is one of the important raw materials for stainless steel. Nickel consumption in China’s stainless steel industry accounts for more than 80% of primary nickel consumption and more than 2/3 globally.

Ferronickel

An alloy of iron and nickel with a nickel content of 15% or more (mass fraction) and less than 80% (mass fraction) obtained from oxide ores or other nickel-containing materials. According to the national standard GB/T25049-2010, ferronickel can be divided into five categories: low-carbon ferronickel, low-carbon low-phosphorus ferronickel, medium-carbon ferronickel, medium-carbon low-phosphorus ferronickel, and high-carbon ferronickel.

Nickel Pig Iron

The nickel content of nickel pig iron is less than 15%. Generally, according to the nickel content of nickel pig iron, it can be divided into high-grade nickel pig iron (10% and above), medium-grade nickel pig iron (4–9%), and low-grade nickel pig iron. Nickel pig iron is smelted mainly in submerged arc furnaces and blast furnaces. Generally, submerged arc furnaces produce high-grade nickel pig iron, and blast furnaces produce low-grade nickel pig iron. Nickel pig iron is an important source of nickel raw material for stainless steel.

Nickel-based Alloy

Nickel-based alloy refers to an alloy based on nickel (with nickel content ≥50%) and containing elements such as Cr, Mo, Cu, Al, Ti, and Nb. According to the main performance, it is further divided into nickel-based heat-resistant alloys, nickel-based corrosion resistant alloys, nickel-based wear-resistant alloys, nickel-based precision alloys and nickel-based shape memory alloys. For example, Inconel 690, Hatselloy C-276, Haynes 242, Monel 400, Incoloy800 and other nickel-based alloy brands.