The usefulness of nickel metal powder in contemporary industry is considerable due to its high level of thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and magnetism.
In electronics, nickel powder enables smaller devices to perform the same tasks by using it in the electrodes of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC).
In the automotive industry, particularly for battery cabinets in electric vehicles, its greater energy density and stability are important. Furthermore, Nickel alloy powder is also in high demand in coatings due to the effects of corrosion, and wear and abrasion resistance.
Characteristics of Nickel Powder
Nickel metal powder is a gray to black metallic powder that has a particle size of <1 µm to 150 µm. Nickel alloy powder, with 99.0–99.99% purity, offers high conductivity, ferromagnetism, corrosion resistance, and a 1,453°C melting point, making it ideal for electronics, aerospace, and automotive uses.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Gray to black metallic powder |
| Particle Size | Typically <1 µm to 150 µm |
| Purity | 99.0% to 99.99% |
| Density | 2.5 – 4.2 g/cm³ (apparent to tap density) |
| Melting Point | ~1,453°C |
| Conductivity | High electrical conductivity |
| Magnetic Property | Ferromagnetic at room temperature |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good resistance in most environments |
Types of Nickel Powder
Nickel powders are produced in various forms, each with unique properties based on the production method. The three main types of Nickel alloy powder:
1. Atomized Nickel Powders
Atomized nickel powder is made by breaking molten nickel into fine droplets and rapidly cooling them into solid powder particles. Atomization process includes gas atomization, which yields low-oxygen, spherical powders, and water atomization, which produces cheaper, irregularly shaped powders with higher oxygen content.
2. Electrolytic Nickel Powders
Electrolytic nickel metal powder is produced by dissolving nickel in an electrolyte solution and depositing it onto a cathode, then collecting and drying the resulting powder.
3. Carbonyl Nickel Powders
Carbonyl nickel metal powder results from the reaction of nickel with carbon monoxide, forming nickel carbonyl, which is later decomposed to yield carbonyl nickel metal powder. Due to its high purity and very fine powder size, the product is especially useful in electronics and high-performance coatings
4. Hydrogen Reduction Nickel Powder
Hydrogen reduction method produces fine, pure nickel powder by reducing nickel compounds such as NiO, NiCO 3, and Ni(OH) 2. This method only emits water vapor and no carbon dioxide.
What is Nickel Powder Used for?
Due to the properties of Nickel alloy powder like resistance to corrosion, thermal conductivity, and durability, it is widely used in various industries.
1. Powder Metallurgy
Powder metallurgy is a green manufacturing process that create metal parts by compacting and sintering metal powders. Nickel alloy powder is commonly used as an alloying element in iron-based components to boost strength, toughness, and overall performance. To achieve better density and reduce pore formation, finer nickel metal powders are preferred, resulting in higher-quality finished parts.
2. 3D Printing
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a near net shape manufacturing technology that creates complex and custom components from a digital model by depositing material layer by layer. In 3D printing applications, nickel powder (including pure nickel and nickel alloys like Inconel 718/625) is valued for its unique combination of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and superior thermal/electrical conductivity.
3. Metal Injection Molding (MIM)
MIM is a modern manufacturing process that incorporates flexible features of plastic injection molding with the superior qualities of metal powders. In the process of MIM, nickel metal powder is used to produce small, complex parts that are difficult to manufacture. The MIM process consists of metal powder and binder, injecting the mixture into a mold, removing the binder, and finally, sintering the part.
4. Protective Coatings
Nickel powders are utilized in coatings such as Nickel alloy powder coats and brushed nickel finishes. It offers strong resistance to corrosion, temperature, and wear. Nickel metal powder can have Decorative and Metallic Finish for the enhancement of consumer, automotive, and industrial machines goods along with its aesthetics property.
5. Energy Storage and Batteries
Nickel alloy powder is an active component of lithium-ion batteries employed in electric vehicles and other energy storage systems. It greatly improves battery operations and supports renewable energy through stable and high energy density.
Nickel powder for MLCC electrode market
For modern electronics, multilayer ceramic capacitors or MLCCs are of utmost importance. They are constructed of several ceramic layers that are divided by metal electrode foils, and their purpose is to store electrical energy besides controlling the voltage.
MLCCs use Ultrafine Spherical Nickel Powders（size:200nm, 500nm, 800nm, 1um） as electrodes, and it is used in place of precious metals such as palladium and platinum because of their excellent conductivity, corrosion resistance and stability.
Advantages and disadvantages of Nickel powder
Advantages of Nickel Powder
The leading benefits of nickel powder are:
Notable Resistance to Corrosion
The remarkable corrosion resistance of nickel powders makes it suitable for aerospace, automotive, and marine industries where it is used in coatings to shield parts from moisture and corrosion attack.
Improved Magnetic and Electrical Conductivity
Nickel alloy powder has great conductivity and strong magnetic properties. These features make the use of Nickel alloy powders needed in electrical and electronic applications. For example, there are nickel powders used in MLCCs that have to do with effective energy storage and voltage regulation.
Disadvantages of Nickel Powder
The disadvantages of Nickel alloy powder are:
Health and Safety Problems
Respiratory issues and skin irritation are just a few problems that can arise from the inhalation of nickel powder. Proper safety precautions and protective equipment must be used during handling to help reduce the risks.
Susceptibility to Contamination
Nickel metal powder, especially nickel for advanced rechargeable batteries, is very sensitive to contamination because it can degrade its efficiency. This is especially problematic for its use in electronics and energy storage systems.
Nickel Powder Manufacturers
1. Höganäs
Höganas is a leading producer of metal powders, specializing in nickel. Their use of atomization and carbonyl processes guarantee high uniformity in particle size which automotive, electronics, and coating applications require.
2. Vale
Vale is a manufacturer of the nickel metal powders produced by the carbonyl and electrolytic processes, directed, among other uses, to the manufacture of batteries and for energy storage.
- Their uniform particle size with high purity is ideal for the electrodes of batteries.
- They offer high-purity powders for maximizing the efficacy of batteries.
3. American Elements
​American Elements specializes in high-purity nickel metal powders with various particle sizes for applications like sputtering targets and chemical vapor deposition.
Nickel Powders Price
The cost of nickel powders varies from one type to another, the size of the particles, and the quality of the powder.
Inconel 625 Nickel Alloy Powder
- Chemical composition: nickel-chromium-molybdenum-niobium alloy possessing good strength at elevated temperatures with great corrosion resistance.
- Particles of a powder, manufactured especially for 3D printing, have a diameter ranging from 15 to 45 micrometres (µm).
- Price is around $30 to $58 per kilogram, depending on purity and quantity available.
Pure Nickel Powder
- Particle Size: Usually 0-45 µm.
- Approximate Price Range: Pure Nickel powder (0–45 µm) typically costs between $50 and $150 per kilogram, depending on purity and supplier.
Using metal powder product reduces waste, saves energy, and supports sustainable development. As a leading supplier in powder metallurgy, BLUE is dedicated to advancing metal powder technology and promoting green manufacturing practices. We provide high quqlity powder metallurgy parts and metal injection molding components.
If you’re seeking dependable powder metal supplier, let BLUE partner with you for a cleaner, greener future.
FAQ
1. What are the Environmental Benefits of Using Nickel Powder?
Using Nickel alloy powder in manufacturing processes can minimize material waste, energy consumption, and the overall environmental impact. Additionally, intricate parts can be made with less resources, contributing to environmentally friendly practices.
2. Is it Possible to Recycle Nickel Powder?
Nickel alloy powder can be recycled, indeed. Recycling of the nickel metal powder helps in dealing with environmental damage and demand on resources. It gets recycled a lot in industries making use of nickel in coatings, batteries of electronic parts.
3. What are the Safety Measures when Handling Nickel Powder?
Proper protective measures such as gloves, masks, and adequate ventilation are required while handling nickel metal powder due to its fine particulate nature. Nickel powder poses a risk of inhalation which can potentially lead to respiratory issues, while contact to the skin can result in skin irritation.
