ALLOYS OF NICKEL
(i) German silver. It is a cupro nickel to which zinc has been added. A typical composition is 60% copper, 30% nickel and 10% zinc. Addition of zinc brings down the cost. Its colour is silvery with a slight pale tinge. It is very ductile and malleable and corrosion resistant. It is used for making electrical contacts, costume jewellery and high quality taps etc. Before the advent of stainless steel, it was also used for household utensils and coinage.
(ii) Monel metal. Its composition is 68% nickel, 30% copper, 1% iron, remainder manganese etc.
(iii) Nichrome. Alloy of nickel and chromium, which is used as heat resistant electrical wire in furnaces, and electrical heating devices like geysers, electric iron etc.
(iv) Inconel and incoloy. Alloys principally containing, nickel, chromium and iron. Used in
electrical industry.
