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Nickel (Ni) is a transition element that exhibits a
mixture of ferrous and nonferrous metal properties.
It is both siderophile (i.e., associates with iron) and
chalcophile (i.e., associates with sulfur).
The bulk of the nickel mined comes from two types of ore deposits:
Nickel is primarily sold for first use as refined metal (cathode, powder, briquet, etc.) or ferronickel. About 65% of the nickel consumed in the Western World is used to make austenitic stainless steel. Another 12% goes into superalloys (e.g., Inconel 600) or nonferrous alloys (e.g., cupronickel). Both families of alloys are widely used because of their corrosion resistance. The aerospace industry is a leading consumer of nickel-base superalloys. Turbine blades, discs and other critical parts of jet engines are fabricated from superalloys. Nickel-base superalloys are also used in land-based combustion turbines, such those found at electric power generation stations. The remaining 23% of consumption is divided between alloy steels, rechargeable batteries, catalysts and other chemicals, coinage, foundry products, and plating. The principal commercial chemicals are the carbonate (NiCO3), chloride (NiCl2), divalent oxide (NiO), and sulfate (NiSO4). In aqueous solution, the divalent nickel ion has an emerald-green color. |
Publications
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Annual Publications
- Nickel
PDF Format:
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | - Appendixes
- Nickel
PDF Format:
| 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
XLS Format:
| 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | - Archive
| 1932-1993 | - Recycling-Metals
Monthly Publications
- Nickel
PDF Format:
2007: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
2006: | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
XLS Format:
2007: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
2006: | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Special Publications
- Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Steel Commodity Price Influences
Open-File Report 2007–1257 - Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in the United States
Data Series 140 - International Mineral Exploration Activities From 1995 Through 2004
Data Series 139 - Metal Prices in the United States through 1998
- Nickel (PDF)
- Statistical Compendium
Other Sources of Information
- Chemical Industry Applications of Industrial Minerals and Metals. Bureau of Mines Special Publication, 1993, 158 pp.
Contacts
- USGS Mineral Commodity Specialist
Peter H. Kuck
Phone: 703-648-4965
Fax: 703-648-7757
Email: pkuck@usgs.gov
- USGS Mineral Resource Specialist