About Nickel
Nickel is used in many industrial and consumer products, including stainless steel, magnets, coinage, rechargeable batteries, electric guitar strings and special alloys. It is also used for plating and as a green tint in glass. Nickel is pre-eminently an alloy metal, and its chief use is in the nickel steels and nickel cast irons, of which there are many varieties. It is also widely used in many other alloys, such as nickel brasses and bronzes, and alloys with copper, chromium, aluminium, lead, cobalt, silver, and gold
Chemical properties:
Nickel metal is relatively resistant to corrosion. It dissolves in dilute mineral acids and is insoluble in concentrated nitric acid.
Water solubility of nickel compounds vary. Nickel acetate, bromide, chloride, iodide, nitrate and sulfate are soluble in water. Hydrated nickel (II) is the primary ion in aqueous solutions. Nickel oxides, hydroxides, sulfides, arsenide, chromate, carbonate, phosphate and selenide are water-insoluble nickel compounds. More properties for selected nickel compounds follow.
Nickel oxide is soluble in acids, potassium cyanide, and ammonium hydroxide. It is insoluble in both cold and hot water, and caustic solutions. The black form of nickel oxide is chemically reactive, whereas the green nickel oxide form is inert and refractory.
Nickel acetate is soluble in acetic acid and water, and insoluble in alcohol. Nickel acetate decomposes before it melts, forming nickel oxide and emitting irritating fumes.
Nickel carbonate is soluble in dilute acids and ammonia, and insoluble in hot water. It can react violently with iodine, hydrogen sulfide, or a mixture of barium oxide and air.
Nickel hydroxide is soluble in acids and ammonium hydroxide, but is practically insoluble in water. It decomposes into nickel oxide and water when heated at elevated temperatures.
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