When the object is to produce metallic nickel, the addition of copper is omitted; the heating is urged, and the oxidizing actions are developed to the utmost; the carbon and silicon are first eliminated, then comes the turn of the metals, such as chromium, manganese, and iron, which are oxidized and pass into the slag. The nickel remaining, either in the molten state or in lumps, is cast or cut up in marketable quantities.

Chrittofle's Wet Way For Neva Caledonian Ores

The pulverized ore is placed in earthenware vessels and treated with hydrochloric acid, avoiding, by some secret means, complete solution of the magnesia; a little nitric acid is then added to peroxidize the iron, and the iron and alumina are precipitated by lime -chloride or powdered chalk. The lime chloride, in presence of the excess of hydrochloric acid, does not precipitate the nickel. The solution is concentrated, a little oxalic acid is added, and the whole is brought to a boil; nickel oxalate is precipitated, and requires only to be calcined in a charcoal crucible. If the iron and alumina are precipitated by powdered chalk, lime chloride is added, then a little lime; black sesquioxide of nickel is deposited, washed, dried, and calcined with charcoal in a charcoal crucible. This has the advantage of avoiding the use of oxalic acid, which is a costly article. The nickel obtained by these processes often runs to 97} Per cent. pure nickel, with about 1 1/4 of cobalt, and less than 1/2 each of silica and manganese.

Properties And Uses

In many respects, nickel bears a close resemblance to iron. It is slightly more fusible, less magnetic, and possesses about the same ductility, tenacity, and malleability; it is inferior in electrical conductivity, but infinitely superior in the matter of resisting oxidation, ranking on this score between gold and silver. This power of resisting oxidation, coupled with the ordinary physical qualities necessary in metals, is the secret of the great value of nickel in industrial applications, notably for plating other metals, and as an ingredient in alloys. Mermet recommends nickel crucibles instead of silver ones for use in chemical manipulations. Nickel is slightly attacked by melted potash, and so is silver itself. Nickel crucibles cost at first much less than those made of silver, and they have the great advantage of melting at a higher temperature. It often happens that inexperienced chemists melt their silver crucibles in heating them over a gas lamp; but such an accident is not to be feared in working with crucibles made of nickel.

Nickel stereotypes would have special value for colour printing, because many kinds of coloured ink attack copper (vermilion, for example) and destroy the plates, while their own brilliancy is also affected by the copper-faced type and plates.

Dr. Fleitman, of Iserlohn,. Westphalia, Prussia, has improved and cheapened the operation of refining and toughening nickel, and has reduced the liability to the presence of blowholes in castings by adding to the molten charge in the pot, when ready to pour, a very small quantity of magnesium. This is immediately decomposed, magnesia is formed, and graphite is separated. It would seem that the magnesium decomposes the occluded carbonic oxide, or reduces it to a minimum. The magnesium must be added with great care and in small portions, as it unites explosively with the charge. It is stirred in. About 1 oz. of magnesium is sufficient for 60 lb. of nickel; 3/4 oz. to 54 lb. of metal has been used with success by Wharton. It is to be noted that complete malleability of nickel was obtained at Wharton's works in Camden, U.S., before Fleitman's invention or process, but this last is more rapid and better than the old method. The metal sq treated becomes remarkably tough and malleable, and may. be rolled into sheets and drawn into wire. Cast plates can be successfully rolled. The cast plates, such as are made for anodes, after reheating, are roiled down to the desired thickness. It is found that it is a great improvement to the nickel anode plates to roll them down.

They dissolve with greater uniformity in the bath. Nickel so treated with magnesium has been rolled into sheets as thin as paper.

Pure nickel, after melting and casting, generally holds a greater or less quantity of oxygen in solution, and the metal is brittle. To hinder the injurious effects of the oxygen, it is necessary to incorporate in the melted nickel some substance which has a strong affinity for oxygen and also for the nickel itself. Gamier finds that phosphorus serves both these purposes very satisfactorily, producing effects analogous to those of carbon in iron. If the phosphorus does not exceed 3/10, per cent., the nickel is soft and very malleable; above this quantity, the hardness increases at the expense of the malleability. Phos-phorized nickel, when alloyed with copper, zinc, or iron, gives results which are far superior to those that are obtained from the same nickel when not phosphorized. By means of the phosphorus, Gamier has been able to alloy nickel and iron in all proportions, and always to obtain soft and malleable products. Nickel welds and melts at the same temperature as steel, and its elongation in forging and rolling is equal to that of Bessemer steel of medium hardness. Nickel-coated sheets of any practical thickness may be got by welding a steel ingot between two nickel ones and passing through a pair of rollers.

In the same way nickel-coated steel wire can be obtained by drawing.

Alfred Smeaton Johnstone, of the firm of Wiggin and Co., who had previously been experimenting with manganese, has succeeded perfectly in rendering both nickel and cobalt malleable by means of manganese. Commercial manganese (about 95 per cent.) or any ferro-man-ganese may be used for the purpose, the presence of iron not destroying the malleability. Thus the analogy between the treatment of nickel and cobalt and of iron which has undergone fusion is perfect. The manganese is added a little at a time to the fused nickel, which is kept well stirred during the time, and finally poured out into moulds when tranquil. The metal is considerably agitated by the escape of gas during the addition of the manganese. For most purposes, the addition of 2 Per cent. of metallic manganese is sufficient; but when the maximum degree of malleability and ductility is required, the quantity added may be increased to as much as 5 per cent., beyond which there is no gain under ordinary circumstances. The manganese left in the nickel need not exceed about 2/10 per cent. Zinc can be successfully alloyed with nickel by reducing their oxides in a state of admixture. By rapidly fusing the alloy thus obtained, a tough malleable and ductile metal can be made.