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NICKEL
We sell Nickel in various forms including pellets, rounds, cathode, discs and briquettes. The chemical analysis is as follows:
Standard Material | % |
|---|---|
Ni | 99.8% min |
Nickel Packing & Size Options
At Westbrook, we can supply you with Nickel pellets, Nickel rounds, Nickel cathodes, Nickel discs and Nickel briquettes depending on your preferences. Our packing and sizing options are detailed below.
Packing
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Drums on pallets
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2mt bags on pallets
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25kg bags
Sizing
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4″ x 4″ cathode
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Pellets
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Rounds
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Discs
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Briquettes
About Nickel
Nickel is a transition metal and naturally occurs extensively in the earth’s crust, although the majority of it lies within the earth’s core so cannot be mined. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal & is the fifth most common element on earth.
The bulk of the Nickel mined comes from two types of ore deposits; laterites and magmatic sulphide deposits. Nickel was first classified as a chemical element in 1751.
Nickel is resistant to corrosion (due to its slow rate of oxidation at room temperature) and to most acids, except nitric acid. It has a high melting point and is very ductile. It is also magnetic at room temperature. Nickel is a versatile metal used extensively in the production of stainless steel and other steel and nonferrous alloys.
Note that Westbrook Resource’s Nickel Rounds are ideal for customers attempting to reduce their carbon footprint as the direct and indirect COâ‚‚ emissions on production are much lower than industry averages. Contact us today for more information.
Production of Nickel
Nickel is produced through two main methods depending on the original ore mined: laterite ore processing and sulphide ore processing. Laterite ores are processed using techniques such as hydrometallurgy (using aqueous solutions) or pyrometallurgy (heating and melting), while sulphide ores undergo smelting and refining. Once the impurities are removed, it is subject to electrorefining or electrolysis to produce high-purity Nickel. The purified Nickel is then used in steel production, alloying, batteries, and other high-demand industries.
Uses of Nickel
The first uses of Nickel date back to ancient times (as far back as 3500 BC) and was referred to as a “white copper” until it was recognised as a separate element.
Nickel is a key component in a wide range of industrial applications although few things are made of pure Nickel. Nickel is often used in making superalloys and its primary use is in the production of stainless steel, where it enhances strength, corrosion resistance, and durability. Nickel is also essential in the manufacturing of alloys, batteries and electroplating. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries due to its high melting point and resistance to extreme temperatures.
In many of these applications, there is no substitute for Nickel without reducing performance or increasing cost.
Key Properties of Nickel
Nickel is highly valued for its corrosion resistance, strength and heat tolerance. Its durability and flexibility make it ideal for forming alloys like stainless steel, while its high melting point ensures reliability in high-temperatures. Nickel is also one of only four metals that are ferromagnetic (the others being Iron, Cobalt and Gadolinium). Ferromagnetic metals are attracted to magnets and retain magnetic properties when an external magnetic field is removed.
Why Choose Westbrook For Nickel
Westbrook Resources are a globally trusted supplier of high quality Nickel. Our Nickel Rounds are ideal for customers attempting to reduce their carbon footprint as the direct and indirect COâ‚‚ emissions on production are much lower than industry averages
We have storage facilities located in the United Kingdom, Africa, Europe, and North America, and are therefore strategically located to distribute Nickel and other Pure Metals internationally.
We aim to be a reliable long-term partner by ensuring:
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Continuity of Supply
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Consistent Quality
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Highly Competitive Pricing
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Timely Deliveries
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World Class Service
As trusted Nickel suppliers, we are efficient in meeting urgent customer demands, leveraging our extensive global distribution network to serve international industries.
We are ISO 9001 compliant, Authorised Economic Operator accredited, hold numerous REACH registrations both in the UK and the EU (including Nickel) and have several Turkish KKDIK pre-registrations. We have fiscal representation in several countries to facilitate deliveries to plants directly.
Contact Us
Our team is here to help you meet all of your Nickel supply needs.
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Contact us today to discuss your requirements and experience the difference of working with a reliable and experienced supplier in the industry.
Nickel FAQs
Is Nickel used in Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries?
EVs use lithium-ion batteries which usually contain 80% Nickel in the composition of the cathode. Nickel plays a pivotal role in these batteries, enhancing the properties of the battery components by increasing their energy density. This gives the EV extended driving ranges and longer battery life. Nickel is also used in battery storage units used to store solar and wind energy.
Is Nickel deemed a critical material?
Nickel is currently on the UK Critical Minerals Expert Committee’s “watchlist” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As Russia is a major supplier to the market and high purity Nickel is so important, particularly for use in EV batteries, the criticality of Nickel may, at some point, increase to full “critical” status.
In 2023, Nickel was added in the fifth list of critical raw materials published by the EU as a “strategic raw material” (crucial for strategic technologies) but not as a critical raw material (high economic importance and highly vulnerable to supply disruptions).
Why is Nickel important in steel production?
Nickel plays a crucial role in steel production by significantly improving the material's formability, weldability, and resistance to heat, corrosion and acids. This makes nickel-alloyed steel ideal for use in harsh environments or high-performance applications, such as in construction, automotive and chemical industries, where longevity and strong performance are critical factors.
