Nickel

Refined nickel is a hard, lustrous metal with excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature stability. Its most significant application is as an alloying element in stainless steel and high-temperature superalloys, where it dramatically improves corrosion resistance and maintains structural integrity at elevated temperatures. It is also used in electroplating, rechargeable batteries, and as a constituent of certain armour steels. Nickel smelting from sulphide ores involves a multi-stage process including roasting, smelting, and converting, with electrolytic refining required for high-purity output.