Pronunciation: [nˈɪkə͡l ˈalɔ͡ɪ] (IPA) 
Nickel alloy is a compound made of nickel and other elements such as copper, iron, or chromium. The spelling of the word "nickel alloy" is transcribed in IPA as /'nɪkəl əlɔɪ/ where the stress is on the first syllable of "nickel" and the second syllable of "alloy." The word "nickel" is spelled with a "k" and not with a "c" due to its Latin origin, nix meaning snow, and was first used in English in the 18th century.
Nickel alloy refers to a type of metal alloy that primarily consists of nickel as the main component, along with other elements including, but not limited to, chromium, iron, copper, and molybdenum. These alloys can be created by combining different metals with nickel through various manufacturing processes and are commonly utilized in a wide range of industrial applications.
The purpose of using nickel alloys is to enhance the desirable properties of nickel in order to meet specific mechanical, chemical, and thermal requirements. These alloys are renowned for their excellent resistance to corrosion, high temperature strength, exceptional toughness, and superior electrical conductivity. Additionally, they exhibit exceptional mechanical properties even at extreme temperatures, allowing them to maintain their structural stability and integrity in challenging environments.
Nickel alloys find extensive application in industries such as aerospace, automotive, chemical, petrochemical, energy, and electronics due to their ability to withstand harsh operating conditions. They are commonly utilized in manufacturing components such as turbine blades, engine parts, valves, heat exchangers, and electrical connectors, among others.
Furthermore, nickel alloys can be classified into various types based on their composition and properties, such as nickel-chromium alloys (e.g., Inconel), nickel-iron alloys (e.g., Kovar), nickel-copper alloys (e.g., Monel), and nickel-molybdenum alloys (e.g., Hastelloy), among others. The specific selection of a nickel alloy is determined by the desired characteristics and the intended application requirements.
The word "nickel" originates from the German word "Kupfernickel", which means "devil's copper". The term was initially used by German miners who, while extracting copper ores, found a mineral that resembled copper but did not yield any copper when smelted. Instead, this mineral contained a substance that could not be extracted at the time.
This mineral came to be known as "nickel ore" or "nickel", and in 1751, a Swedish chemist named Baron Axel Fredrik Cronstedt successfully isolated and identified nickel as a new element. Eventually, the metal derived from this mineral became known as "nickel".
The term "alloy" comes from the Old French word "aloi", which means "a mixing" or "combining".
