Nickel is a chemical element with symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile.
Three reasons Nickel stands out
- 1
Hard metal, used in coins.
- 2
It is the second most abundant element in the Earth's core, after iron.
- 3
Superalloys containing this metal are used in jet engine turbine blades that must survive extreme heat.
A familiar metal with a planetary secret
Nickel resists corrosion, mixes readily into alloys, and remains magnetic near room temperature. Stainless steel consumes much of the world’s supply. Earth’s accessible crust holds relatively little because vast amounts sank into the core; some metallic meteorites offer a glimpse of similar iron-nickel material.