Pure wrought nickel in the form of sheets and wire has many uses. Finely divided nickel is used as a catalyst, e.g., in the hydrogenation of oils. It is used in the nickel-cadmium storage battery. The major use of nickel is in the preparation of alloys. The chief attributes of nickel alloys are strength, ductility, and resistance to corrosion and heat.
Many stainless steels contain nickel.
Nickel steels are used in safes and armor plate. Alloys of nickel and copper are widely used, e.g., Monel metal, nickel bronze, and nickel silver. Constantan is a nickel-copper alloy used in thermocouples. Nickel is present in most meteorites. It is also found in trace amounts in plants and animals.