News Feed

European Commission publishes amended Annex XVII of REACH

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:07:00 -0500

On 10th February 2012, the European Commission published the amended Annex XVII of REACH including a restriction for 138 classified nickel substances, thereby preventing their sale for consumer use (Commission Regulation 109/2012). As they are used in industrial processes only, the Nickel Institute does not foresee a direct impact on the current production, marketing and use of these nickel substances following this publication.

A press release is available for download here.

Media Contact

Kathryn Sheridan
ks@sustainabilityconsult.com
Phone: +32 496 116198 (Europe) / 202 470 3239 (North America)

Stainless Steel Centenary Website

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

As a member of the Team Stainless network, the Nickel Institute is pleased to announce its participation and support in marking a century since stainless steels were first created, patented and produced.

Over that time, stainless steel has grown to be an integral part of our modern world. To celebrate the anniversaries, the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) has launched a website – www.stainlesssteelcentenary.info – dedicated to the history of stainless steel and its innovative applications.

A travelling exhibition about stainless steel which will be launched in Beijing (China) on 15 May 2012. After Beijing, the exhibition will move to a number of other locations around the world. As well as the list of celebratory events, this website features many interesting facts about stainless steel, stunning images of stainless steel applications from the past century, and a detailed history of this amazing material.

ISSF has published a media release titled International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) launches 100 Years of Stainless Steel website to celebrate a century of innovation. The Chinese and English versions can be downloaded from the worldstainless website.

Download the Chinese version of the media release here.

Download the English version fo the media release here.

Nickel Institute sponsors Workshop on Energy Efficiency

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Nickel Institute actively contributed to a workshop on energy efficiency which took place 23rd November in Brussels. During the workshop the NI President discussed with EP Members and Commission officials the material needs for addressing energy efficiency. In his statement, Dr Kevin Bradley pointed out the importance of nickel in energy efficient technologies that will be essential to achieve relevant energy savings and the greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2050. He substantiated his statement with two most recent publications of the Leiden University.

A summary note on the event which was held according to the Chatham House Rules can be downloaded here.

Nickel Institute organizes debate in the European Parliament on resource efficiency and raw materials

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Nickel Institute organized a breakfast debate in the European Parliamenton 23rd November. Hosted by Member of the European Parliament Dr Paul Rübig, the breakfast debate focused on the recent debates on resource efficiency and raw materials and how to link both political debates more closely. Contributions were provided from the European Parliament, the European Commission and from industry. The discussion highlighted the importance of a well functioning raw materials industry such as the nickel industry that enables resource efficiency in many sectors. It also pointed out the adverse impacts from REACH authorization on a safe supply with raw materials.

More information can be found here.

Nickel Institute Appoints New Director, Global Government Affairs & Advocacy

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Toronto, 7th December 2011. The Nickel Institute today announced the appointment of Dr. Veronique Steukers as Director, Global Government Affairs and Advocacy.

Dr. Steukers, a Belgian national, will take up her post officially on the 9th of January 2012. Dr. Steukers has more than 18 years professional experience in the area of regulatory affairs, government affairs and advocacy with a number of corporate metal and chemicals companies.

Prior to joining the Nickel Institute Dr. Steukers was Advocacy Director at the Corporate Sustainability Department of Albemarle. Here she was responsible for Management of the European, China and US advocacy team. She was involved in formulating strategic policy recommendations relevant for Albemarle business as well as providing information & advice to company executives.

Dr. Steukers brings to the Nickel Institute a deep understanding of chemicals management globally gained through her involvement in EU and global chemicals policy processes and negotiations. She was also extremely active on issues within the chemicals industry sector, being Chair & Vice-Chair of the European industry organisations EBFRIP & EFRA. During her early career she was responsible for product liability for the Umicore Group – the Belgian specialty metals group.

A graduate in chemistry of Université Notre Dame de la Paix, Namur, Dr. Steukers has a postgraduate qualification in industrial chemistry from the Katholieke Universiteit van Leuven and a Ph.D in chemistry from the University of Exeter. She has also pursed continuing professional development on the areas of environmental sustainability and business as well as courses in environmental law.

In announcing the appointment of Dr. Steukers, the Nickel Institute President, Dr. Kevin Bradley said “I am delighted to welcome Veronique to the Institute. She brings with her significant professional experience in the areas of governmental affairs and advocacy which will enhance the Institute’s capacity in these areas”.

About the Nickel Institute

The Nickel Institute is a non-profit organization representing 26 companies that produce around 75% of the world’s annual nickel output. More information regarding the various applications of nickel as well as verified scientific data related to health, safety and the environment is available at www.nickelinstitute.org.

Media Contact

Kathryn Sheridan
ks@sustainabilityconsult.com
Phone: +32 496 116198 (Europe) / 202 470 3239 (North America)

APEC takes sustainable steps to powering electric vehicles

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

In a workshop on innovations in the industry end of October in Hong Kong, industry experts of the Asian Pacific Region confirmed that the wider adoption of electric energy will reduce emissions, safe energy and boost the competitiveness of car manufacturers in the Asian-Pacific region. This will contribute to green growth in the APEC region which is one of the key priorities for APEC in 2011, as confirmed by APEC Transportation and Energy Ministers last month. The wider use of electrical vehicles is seen to bring substantial environmental improvements.

More information can be found here.

European Risk Forum releases Precautionary Principle Study

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The European Risk Forum announced on 10 November the release of its study “The Precautionary Principle: Application and Way Forward”. The study provides an overview on the history of the Precautionary Principle, shows how it is used and interpreted in various jurisdictions, and how the Precautionary Principle is applied in various EU institutions. It also examines how the Precautionary Principle has been considered by the European Courts in the judgment of various cases. The study closes with some recommendations clarifying that the EU institutions should integrate the Commission Communication on the Precautionary Principle with other guidelines on risk assessment and impact analysis. It further recommends that applications of the Precautionary Principle should specify the degree of scientific uncertainty and be both provisional and proportionate to the potential risk.

The document can be downloaded here.

Update of Nickel Institute Position Paper on Transport

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

In view of the European Commission White Paper on Transport and the recently published report of Matthieu Grosch, Member of the European Parliament and EP Rapporteur on the Transport White Paper, the Nickel Institute updated its position on transport. It shows how nickel will make an important contribution to achieving the objectives set out in this strategic plan by serving as important inputs into the delivery of required physical infrastructure and new technologies.

The position paper can be downloaded here.

Release of Metals for Buildings Leaflet

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The METALS FOR BUILDINGS Alliance released today a leaflet entitled “Metals for Buildings – essential and fully recyclable”. The objective of the leaflet is to inform on the appropriate use of recycling indicators in the building sector. The document moreover demonstrates the essentiality of metals in buildings, shows the outstanding properties of metals during use and the recyclability of metals once they reach the end of life stage. The Nickel Institute is a member of METALS FOR BUILDINGS, an alliance of Metals Associations active in the building sector which promotes the unique strengths of metal products for recyclable and sustainable buildings. More information can be found at the Metals for Buildings website.

To download a PDF of the brochure please click here.

For further information on the use of nickel-containing materials for buildings, please visit the Nickel Institute website pages on architecture, building and construction.

Corrosion Resistant Alloys (CRAs) in the Oil and Gas Industry 3rd Edition - Now Available

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Nickel Institute is pleased to announce the availability of publication 10 073 Corrosion Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas Industry – selection guidelines update.

Corrosion Resistant Alloys (CRAs) are essential for providing long term resistance to corrosion for many components exposed to oil and gas production environments. Components include downhole tubing and safety critical elements, wellhead and Xmas tree components and valves, pipelines, piping, valves, vessels, heat exchangers and many other pieces of equipment in facilities. There are many CRAs to select from, and they can be characterised by their resistance to specific environments.

This guide, by Bruce Craig and Liane Smith (consultants to the Nickel Institute), for selection of CRAs for particular environments was originally published in 1998 and authored by Bruce Craig. It was one of the first to attempt to show that a material’s corrosion properties are influenced by many environmental parameters simultaneously.

The publication has stood the test of time and its third edition continues to provide reliable guidelines on materials performance.

To download the pdf please click here

Environmental Risk Assessment Fact Sheets 4 & 5 Now Available

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Nickel Environmental Risk Assessment Fact Sheet series is a resource created by NiPERA, in conjunction with ARCHE Consultancy, to communicate the concepts and outcomes of the EU Environmental Risk Assessment on Nickel and Nickel Compounds to industry, regulatory authorities, and the general public. The purpose of the fact sheets is to assist the reader in understanding the complex environmental issues and concepts presented in the risk assessment by summarizing key technical information and providing guidance for implementation. Currently, five fact sheets are available:

Additional Nickel Environmental Risk Assessment Fact Sheets are under development and will be made available in the future.

Readers who would like to view the Report on EU Environmental Risk Assessment of Nickel and Nickel Compounds in its entirety are directed the following website:
http://esis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/doc/existing-chemicals/risk_assessment/REPORT/nickelreport311.pdf

For more information about the Nickel Risk Assessment Fact Sheets or the EU Environmental Risk Assessment of Nickel and Nickel Compounds, please contact NiPERA.

Buddhist Temple

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 05:36:00 -0400

In the forested mountains near the Myanmar-Thailand border sits a small but striking temple made of stainless steel.

The Great Bridge of China

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 05:35:00 -0400

Austenitic and duplex stainless steel applications in the Stonecutters Bridge in Hong Kong.

China's Shenzhen Bridge

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 05:32:00 -0400

Lower maintenance costs are the main reason for using austenitic stainless steel in this $2.7-billion bridge.

Testing to avoid inferior stainless steel

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:27:24 -0400

The New Zealand based company Anzor has launched a materials testing programme to check the quality of stainless steels. Low nickel stainless steel have been appearing on the world market for a number of years. Those alloys have the same appearance, mechanical properties and magnetism as conventional grades of stainless steel but their corrosion resistance is inferior. The testing programme of Anzor allows to give its customers the added peace of mind that they are purchasing the highest quality stainless steel available in the market. More information can be found on their website (www.anzor.co.nz).

Cooling with Heat - A Case Study About Solar Cooling

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:57:07 -0400

Produced by the world organization for stainless steel, the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF), in a new publication, discusses the key role stainless steel plays in a new generation of adsorption chillers.

Stainless steel plays a key role in a new generation of adsorption chillers, the heart of environmentally friendly cooling equipment. A significant percentage of the energy consumed in our industrialised societies is used to keep rooms within a specific temperature range. Cooling accounts for much larger a percentage of global energy consumption than heating. Much of the energy used for cooling is consumed by air conditioning of homes and offices in summer and in hot climates; and by the many commercial and industrial processes – such as food handling – that depend on a controlled level of temperature. Conventional cooling systems utilise a compressor, which is usually electrically driven and hence energy-intensive to operate.

Four New Team Stainless Structural Stainless Steel Studies

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:20:25 -0400

Sponsored by Team Stainless and produced by SCI, four new case studies (5 through 8) look at different applications of structural stainless steel.

Sponsored by Team Stainless and produced by SCI, four new case studies each present different applications of structural stainless steel. Each case study examines the materials selection process, design, structural analysis, fabrication and installation process.

Case Study 05: Sienna Footbridge

Completed in 2006, this stainless steel cable stayed footbridge spans 60 m over a busy motorway in the suburb of Ruffolo, Siena, in central Italy. The bridge girders and pylons are fabricated from a ‘lean’ duplex grade of stainless steel and it is one of the first times this grade has been used for a footbridge. The bridge has a striking appearance, is functionally efficient and cost-effective with a low life cycle cost.

Case Study 06: Masonry Support System at Big Wood School

Big Wood Secondary School in Nottingham is situated on the edge of Bestwood Country Park, with approximately 750 pupils aged between 11 and 16 currently on the roll. As part of the UK Government’s Building Schools for the Future initiative, the school is being completely rebuilt and the first phase of the £18 million development, the construction of three two-storey rectangular teaching blocks (about 40 m x 20 m in plan), was opened in the autumn of 2009. The buildings are brick-clad, structural steelwork frames, with composite floors. The brickwork is supported by a stainless steel masonry support system over the windows (some are in excess of 9 m wide). The support system provides a horizontal ledge for the masonry and is fixed to rectangular hollow edge beams.

Case Study 07: The Pavilion, Regent’s Place

The Pavilion marks the new western entrance into Regent's Place, a 13-acre development in the heart of London which features retail, leisure and public spaces. It is a structure made entirely of stainless steel in which a field of vertical columns supports a roof canopy 8 m above street level. The pavilion is 20 m by 5 m in plan, with 258 highly slender rectangular hollow sections supporting a roof plane, reflecting sunlight during the day and projecting light at night from lights integrated into the paving. The structure was opened to the public in 2009 and won a 2010 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award for architectural excellence.

Case Study 08: Beckton Desalination Plant

The first water desalination plant in the UK, the Beckton Desalination Plant in East London, opens in 2010. It will treat water from the brackish waters of the River Thames, producing up to 140 million litres of clean, fresh, drinking water each day during times of drought or extended periods of low rainfall, or to maintain supplies in the event of an incident at other water treatment facilities. Within the plant, saline river water passes through lamella clarifiers to remove solid particles. The clarifiers are large, open tanks containing a coarse filter media that is supported by a grillage of 78 stainless steel I-beams.

Railcars in Stainless Steel - A Sustainable Solution for Sustainable Public Transport

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:57:38 -0400

Produced by the world organization for stainless steel, the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF), in a new publication, discusses increasing the sustainability profile of the rail industry with the use of stainless steel railcars.

Current efforts to make our mobile lifestyle more sustainable are increasingly focused on the benefits of public transport. A shift from motor vehicles to public transport solutions, such as rail, will significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse and other noxious gases being pumped into the atmosphere. Rail in particular can provide resource saving, environmentally friendly solutions to our growing mobility needs.

Utilising stainless steel to create railcars increases the sustainability profile of the rail industry. Its durability and minimal maintenance requirements make stainless a good choice economically. Energy saving lightweight designs, a high level of recycled content and 100% recyclability at-the-end of life are the cornerstones of stainless steel’s environmental profile. Add the bright contemporary finish of stainless steel and the sustainability profile of the rail industry is further strengthened. Stainless steel in railcars is a good example of how the social, economic and environmental factors of material selection interact to make a technical solution sustainable.

This publication discusses:

What makes stainless steel a sustainable material?
Decades of experience in railcars
Why stainless steel?
Which stainless steel?
Stainless steel in operation

And contains 4 case studies:

Case study 1: Let’s Tango
Case study 2: Next generation Underground in Hamburg
Case study 3: Stainless steel-containing trams serves Alicante Coastline
Case study 4: Japan Rail satisfied with stainless steel for over 50 years

Update of the Nickel Stock and Flow Model

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:38:41 -0400

The Nickel Institute agreed with Professor Tom Graedel from the Center for Industrial Ecology at the Yale University (US) on updating the nickel stock and flow models. Existing models cover the stocks and flows of nickel for the reference years 2000 and 2005. In view of the growing importance of emerging economies for nickel such as China and India, the update will provide industry with an updated picture of nickel flows, the stock building of nickel containing products while being used, and the end of life management of nickel containing waste products. Similar to the 2000 and 2005 models, the data will be displayed on both a global as well as a regional scale.

Chemical, Pharmaceutical & Petrochemical Industry News

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 16:27:04 -0400

Clean and Efficient Drug Manufacturing (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2010)
Higher alloyed stainless steels and nickel alloys can offer greater flexibility and safety to the pharmaceutical industry

Illuminating Wear with EN coatings (Nickel Magazine, Dec. 2009)
A new type of electroless nickel coating, that can be made to glow in the dark, is finding a market among manufacturers who need to know when a coating is wearing off, either to prevent damage to the underlying part or to ensure consistency of the resulting product.

Ethanol’s Evolution (Nickel Magazine, July 2009)
Expansion of the ethanol industry means higher demand for nickel-containing stainless steel

Massive Q-max Carriers (Nickel Magazine, July 2009)
Large scale tankers of stainless steel and iron-nickel alloys save fuel, produce fewer carbon emissions, and reduce cargo losses.

One Material, Multiple Purposes (Nickel Magazine, June 2008)
One supplier of feed delivery systems for specialty chemicals specifies nickel-containing stainless steels for the range of chemicals it supplies.

Pure Filtering (Nickel Magazine, Dec. 2007)
Durable stainless steel screens stand up to abrasion and sanitization.

Oil Patch Performance (Nickel Magazine, Dec. 2007)
Nickel-containing materials are proven, reliable performers in the oil and gas industry.

Coming Clean (Nickel Magazine, Dec. 2007)
Nickel catalysts are the key to producing better surfactants for detergents.

Safe Storage at Minus 162^oC (Nickel Magazine, Dec. 2006)
LNG tanks at the Canaport terminal in New Brunswick, Canada are made of 9% nickel steel.

Innovation Pharmaceutical (Nickel Magazine, Dec. 2006)
A nickel catalyst could prove to be a key breakthrough for developing less expensive drugs.

High Nickel Alloy Key to Effectiveness of Filter-Dryers (Nickel Magazine, Mar. 2006)
Nickel alloy N06022 keeps pharmaceutical products pure in the filter-dryer.

Electronics Industry News

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 16:27:41 -0400

Vinyl Revival (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2010)
Nickel is essential for the production of modern vinyl records as well as CDs.

Shielding for Safety (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2010)
Whether in hospitals, clinics or your private home, shielding of medical equipment from electromagnetic waves is critical for the proper functioning of these devices.

Nickel Sulphate (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2010)
A primer on nickel sulphate, which is used in some batteries.

Nickel in Mobile Phones (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2010)
News on external nickel plating on cell phones and its relation to nickel contact dermatitis.

Fuel Cells (Nickel Magazine, June 2010)
Research continues on developing more efficient and lower cost Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), and nickel-containing materials are involved.

Green Cars: Recycling Batteries (Nickel Magazine, June 2010)
Processes have been developed to maximize the recovery of the major components including nickel from both Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and even Lithium Ion batteries.

Nickel Hydroxide (Nickel Magazine, June 2010)
A primer on nickel hydroxide, which is used in some batteries.

Europe Recognizes Mobile Phone Dermatitis (Nickel Magazine, June 2010)
The Nickel Institute’s stewardship policy discourages inappropriate use of nickel, such as external surfaces of mobile phones.

Solar Solution (Nickel Magazine, Dec. 2008)
How nickel stainless steels are improving the prospects for solar energy.

A Growing Opportunity for Nickel (Nickel Magazine, Oct. 2008)
The market for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) is growing in Europe.

Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries Power Hybrid Growth (Nickel Magazine, June 2008)
There is rapid growth in Europe in the sales of hybrid vehicles, using Nickel Metal Hydride batteries.

Coating Nano-Powders with Nickel (Nickel Magazine, Mar. 2008)
Nickel Vapour Deposition (NVD) is used to coat powders of various substrates, for example for use in electromagnetic interference shielding.

Cladding Pipe Proves Cost-Effective (Nickel Magazine, Mar. 2008)
Stainless steel weld overlay of carbon steel pipe and fittings using the flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) process can be a cost-effective way to produce larger diameter heavy walled piping system.

Foam that Remembers (Nickel Magazine, Mar. 2008)
A shape-memory nickel-manganese-gallium foam holds promise for both micro-devices used in both electronic and medical areas.

Defining Display (Nickel Magazine, May 2006)
Nickel-irons are needed for Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs).

Precise Performance (Nickel Magazine, May 2006)
Nickel enables the inexpensive replication on CDs and DVDs of digital entertainment.

Denver Switches to Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2005)
Hybrid buses in Denver use Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries.

Assembling Nano-Scale Electronics (Nickel Magazine, July. 2005)
Nickel nanowires prove easy to manipulate magnetically.

Nano-Device Connections (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2004)
Highly accurate micro parts for MEMs and larger parts with ultra-fine features are being electroformed from nickel.

Nickel Puts “Spark” in Your Spark Plugs (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2004)
The amount of nickel in each plug is only about a quarter of a gram, but more than 250 million plugs are made every year.

Fuel Cell Manufacturing Takes Off (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2004)
Use of stationary molten carbonate fuel cells is growing.

Medical Applications News

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 16:29:20 -0400

Sharp End (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2010)
Nickel-containing stainless steels make the hypodermic needle a life-saver.

Rx: Stainless (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2010)
Nickel-containing stainless steels are a vital component in both implants and medical instruments.

Life Saver (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2010)
With allergic reactions, especially with children, on the rise, the EpiPen® with a nickel-containing stainless steel needle is a real lifesaver for many families.

Foam that Remembers (Nickel Magazine, Mar. 2008)
A shape-memory nickel-manganese-gallium foam holds promise for both micro-devices used in both electronic and medical areas.

Transportation Industry News

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:09:49 -0400

Metro Line Expansion (Nickel Magazine, June 2011)
Stainless steel mesh satisfy both aesthetic and safety requirements for the expansion of the Barcelona Spain metro system.

Stainless Steel for the Long Haul (Nickel Magazine, June 2011)
Corrosion resistance combined with aesthetic appeal make stainless steel an ideal metal for the manufacture of passenger rail cars.

Haneda Airport (Nickel Magazine, June 2011)
Nickel-containing stainless steel is used on the pier of a runway built at the mouth of the Tamagawa River in Tokyo Bay to ensure long life.

Massive Q-Max Carriers (Nickel Magazine, July 2009)
Large scale tankers of stainless steel and iron-nickel alloys save fuel, produce fewer carbon emissions, and reduce cargo losses.

Stainless Steel Car Frames: The Next Generation (Nickel Magazine, Dec. 2008)
Austenitic stainless steels reduce the weight of individual components by about 20 per cent.

Building Ocean Ecosystems (Nickel Magazine, Oct. 2008)
New York City subway cars prove useful after retirement by serving as artificial reefs along the Eastern seaboard of the U.S.

Light Flight (Nickel Magazine, Mar. 2008)
How nickel contributes to more fuel efficient aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A-380, and how this contributes to more efficient air transportation.

Driving Diesel (Nickel Magazine, Jun. 2007)
How nickel alloy foam could reduce emissions and fuel consumption in diesel cars, trucks and buses.

More Efficient Turbines (Nickel Magazine, Mar. 2007)
The evolution of gas turbines is linked to nickel alloy development.

Up from the Deep (Nickel Magazine, Mar. 2007)
Molenaar’s submarine rescue system uses S32205 stainless steel to save lives.

Safe Storage at Minus 162^oC (Nickel Magazine, Dec. 2006)
LNG tanks at the Canaport terminal in New Brunswick, Canada are made of 9% nickel steel.

Farther, Faster, Safer (Nickel Magazine, May 2006)
Nickel’s role in the Airbus A380, both in the turbines and to make the composite parts.

Denver’s Switches to NiMH Batteries (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2005)
Less maintenance and longer life than the lead acid batteries for their electric/compressed natural gas hybrid busses.

Stainless Fuel Handling Components in Demand (Nickel Magazine, Jul. 2005)
Today's internal combustion engines are increasingly being fuelled by more corrosive alternative fuels. So care-makers are turning to stainless steel to prevent leaks and corrosion

Lowering the cost of LNG Piping (Nickel Magazine, Mar. 2005)
Use of a 36%Ni iron alloy with very low rate of thermal expansion can save money for piping of LNG from the ship to a land-based terminal.

Nickel Alloy puts the Spark in Spark Plugs (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2004)
The amount of nickel in each plug is only about a quarter of a gram, but more than 250 million plugs are made every year.

Laser Welding Eliminates Distortion (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2004)
Laser welding is replacing conventional spot welding at a Japanese rail car manufacturer.

A Superalloy Solution (Nickel Magazine, Nov. 2004)
NASA’s fix for the space shuttle involves a nickel-based superalloy.

Update of Nickel Life Cycle Data

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:39:50 -0400

The member companies of the Nickel Institute agreed on updating of the nickel life cycle data. The existing nickel life cycle data which can be found on the Nickel Institute website were gathered in 2000. An update of the nickel life cycle data shall provide the nickel industry, downsteam users as well as other interested stakeholders with life cycle data for the main nickel products, comprising nickel metal, ferronickel and main nickel compounds. Achievements made in processing technology that reduced the energy consumption will be shown as well as the effects of changes in the geology and mineralogy of mined deposits. It is envisaged to launch the data collection in 2012. The updated life cycle data are expected for publication in 2013.

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:39:42 -0400