Nickel Powder and Nickel Granules are finely processed forms of pure nickel metal produced through atomization, carbonyl refining, electrolysis, or chemical reduction. These forms are essential in batteries, superalloys, catalysts, coatings, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and advanced engineering applications.
Classification of Nickel Powders
Carbonyl nickel powder (ultra-fine, spherical)
Electrolytic nickel powder (dendritic)
Atomized nickel powder (irregular or spherical)
Reduced nickel powder (spongy)
Nickel granules / pellets (coarse, dense)
Chemical Composition (Typical)
| Element | wt% |
|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | 99.0 – 99.99 |
| Carbon | ≤ 0.01 – 0.08 |
| Oxygen | ≤ 0.1 – 0.4 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.02 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.01 |
Mechanical Properties (After Sintering)
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 350 – 600 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 100 – 200 MPa |
| Elongation | 20 – 40% |
| Hardness | 70 – 110 HRB |
| Fatigue Strength | Moderate |
| Impact Toughness | High |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density (solid Ni) | 8.90 g/cm³ |
| Apparent Powder Density | 0.5 – 4.5 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1455 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~90 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~22% IACS |
| Magnetic Behavior | Ferromagnetic |
| Surface Area | 0.2 – >5 m²/g |
Production Methods
| Method | Powder Characteristics | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Carbonyl (Mond) | Spherical, ultra-pure | Batteries, catalysts |
| Electrolytic | Dendritic, high surface | PM parts, filters |
| Atomization | Flowable, spherical | Additive manufacturing |
| Reduction | Porous, spongy | Catalysts |
| Granulation | Coarse pellets | Alloying, melting |
Available Forms
Ultra-fine powders (<1 µm)
Fine & medium powders (1–50 µm)
Coarse powders (50–500 µm)
Granules & pellets (1–10 mm)
Flakes
Briquettes
Applications
Energy & Batteries
Ni-MH batteries, lithium-ion additives, fuel cells
Powder Metallurgy
Structural PM parts, porous filters, bearings
Catalysis & Chemical
Hydrogenation and reforming catalysts
Electronics
Conductive pastes, EMI shielding, MLCC electrodes
Additive Manufacturing
Binder jetting, MIM, thermal spray coatings
Advantages
✔ High surface area and reactivity
✔ Excellent sintering behavior
✔ High-purity grades available
✔ Wide particle size range
✔ Strong electrical and magnetic properties
Limitations
❌ Oxidation sensitivity
❌ Dust explosion risk (fine powders)
❌ Special handling and storage required
❌ Higher cost for ultra-fine powders
Why Choose Nickel Powder & Granules?
Nickel powders and granules are selected when high surface activity, sintering performance, catalytic efficiency, and precision manufacturing are required.