Nickel itself comes from the remains of plants or organisms that have been buried underground for millions of years and is part of the metal-based mining products. Nickel, which has a silvery color, was originally thought to be an impurity metal in copper. Later, after research concluded that nickel could be found in meteorites, it became an independent metal with high value.
Nickel plays a very important role for humans in daily life. Although not as well-known as oil, coal, and iron ore, nickel's use in daily life is influenced by its hard but malleable and malleable structure that has many benefits to human life.
(1) Stainless steel and coin manufacturing
1. Stainless steel manufacturing
Nickel's first use in daily life was as a component in the manufacture of stainless steel. Nickel is generally used for stainless steel furniture because of its rust-resistant properties.
Stainless steel is usually made from iron ore mixed with nickel and chromium, so it is not easily oxidized by water and air. This is why stainless steel does not rust as easily as regular iron. Therefore, kitchen utensils such as forks and spoons are often made of nickel metal.
2. Coin making
In addition to being a material for making stainless steel, it is also used for making coins. Indonesian coins are usually made of nickel because it is tough and easy to shape. As we all know, Indonesia has two currencies, coins and banknotes. Some coins circulating in Indonesia are made from nickel.
This material appears denser and heavier than aluminum. In 2010, Bank Indonesia launched a nickel-based coin currency with a denomination of Rp1,000.
(2) Steel and alloys in automobile frames
3. Mix in steel
Steel is a mixture of various metallic elements, the main component of which is iron. High-quality steel is inseparable from a mixture of nickel content. The benefit of nickel in steel alloys is that it makes the mixture harder than aluminum alloys. The nickel content gives the steel good strength compared to steel mixed with aluminum alone. Nickel alloys also make steel resistant to corrosion, something that pure steel cannot. This structure is commonly used in construction materials and railways.
4. Automobile frame manufacturing
The next use of nickel in daily life is in the manufacture of car frames. The nickel content in the car frame makes the result look shiny and less prone to rust. It makes the car frame more durable as it won't break down as quickly. Often when you see wheels, bumpers, and exhaust pipes on cars looking so shiny, it's because a lot of nickel is used in the manufacturing process of the car's frame.
(3) Rechargeable batteries, wire manufacturing and anti-rust coatings
5. Rechargeable battery
One of the very important uses of nickel in daily life is as a material for making batteries. Nickel-based batteries include secondary rechargeable batteries. Unlike disposable primary batteries.
These batteries are widely used as energy sources for electronic devices. The well-known nickel batteries are nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and nickel metal hybrid (NiMH) batteries.
