Nickel is slightly magnetic, not purely magnetic. It is ferromagnetic material at room temperature, which means it can be magnetized. When nickel is heated beyond a certain point, it loses its magnetic property. Nickel and iron are both attracted to magnets. However, nickel is less likely to be attracted than iron or cobalt. Let’s explore nickel magnetism behavior in this guide.
Is Nickel Magnetic or Non-Magnetic?
Nickel is weakly magnetic, or ferromagnetic at 25 C. However, its magnetic property decreases when it is exposed to high temperatures. Nickel can also become magnetized itself.
What Makes Nickel Magnetic?
The magnetism of nickel is caused by its element atomic structure. Magnetic moments are produced in Nickel due to the presence of unpaired electrons. These electrons come in order and create a magnetic field.
Nickel also proved to be ferromagnetic so magnetic interactions are fairly possible. It strengthens its magnetism by the alignment of atoms in it. In general, Iron has a higher level of magnetization than Nickel.
Nickel Metal vs. Ferromagnetism: A Comparison
Nickel is a ferromagnetic metal. A ferromagnetic material is a state where all magnetic moments of atoms are oriented. In nickel, the free electrons in the d-orbitals produce a magnetic field. There are unpaired electrons. The direction of unique magnetic moments in the solid gives nickel its magnetic properties.
In addition, nickel is unique in its property to remain ferromagnetic at the ambient temperature, unlike other materials. But, it is less attracted to a magnet like cobalt or iron. Therefore, when nickel is heated, it becomes nonferromagnetic as the electron structure is disrupted. However, it still finds its uses in different magnetic applications because of the slight or moderate magnetic features.
Factors Affecting Magnetic Properties of Nickel
The common factors influencing the magnetic properties of nickel:
Temperature
The magnetic characteristics of Nickel greatly depend on temperature. At higher temperatures, thermal motion makes the electrons spin to be in random order. This weakens the ferromagnetic characteristics of the compound. The alloy becomes non-magnetic if heated past its Curie temperature (358 degrees Celsius). Nickel at Curie Point is a paramagnetic material. Where the electrons are no longer in phase with one another.
Crystal Structure
The magnetism of Nickel is also influenced by its face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure. The structure of nickel facilitates the spin alignment of the electrons and hence ferromagnetic characteristics. The local spin movement in a material is sensitive to any changes in the crystal structure due to mechanical stress or alloying of the material.
Impurities and Alloying Elements
The magnetic qualities of nickel can be controlled by the addition of foreign particles. These foreign atoms destroy the coordinate alignment of electrons concerning their spin. Furthermore, in some cases, as the impurity increases the magnetization of the nickel can increase and decrease vice versa. For instance, iron magically increases magnetism while adding elements such as copper is likely to lessen magnetism.
Grain Size
As the grain size of nickel is concerned, these grains possess some magnetic characteristics. Smaller grains provide more domain boundaries within the material. This leads to increased surface area which in turn causes the material to respond to magnetic fields. On the other hand, the larger grain size decreases the possibility of mutual orientation of magnetic domains, thus decreasing the overall magnetic cohesiveness.
External Magnetic Fields
Preliminary research has dictated that manipulation of external magnetic fields can affect the orientation of the magnetic domains in nickel. These domains realign with the applied magnetic field, increasing the material’s magnetization. Moreover, the degree of alignment depends on the strength of the applied magnetic field. If the field is powerful enough, saturation magnetization is achieved, which means that all domains are aligned.
Pressure
Pressure applied to nickel changes its atomic structure and magnetic properties. It changes the interatomic distance and alters the electron states in nickel. In addition, Pressure affects the number of electron orbitals. Changing the orbitals can alter the material’s magnetic properties. The nickel exhibits ferromagnetic behavior and in fact, this can either be strengthened or weakened based on the electronic structure changes.
Nickel Curie Point or Curie Temperature
Curie temperature is defined as a temperature at which nickel becomes nonferromagnetic. It is approximately 358 degrees Celsius (675, 928 Fahrenheit). At curie temperature, nickel undergoes a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state change.
In the ferromagnetic state with the orientation of electron spins, and has strong magnetic properties. Nevertheless, whenever the temperature rises then thermal energy destroys this alignment, and the magnetism decreases. The atomic magnetic moments are not constrained to remain aligned. Furthermore, the material becomes weakly magnetic below the Curie temperature when no external magnetic field is applied.
What are the Machining Techniques For Nickel?
- CNC Milling
- CNC Turning
- CNC Drilling
- CNC Grinding
- Electrochemical Machining
- EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining)
- CNC Laser Cutting
- CNC Water Jet Cutting
- Abrasive Jet Machining
Applications of Nickel Due to Its Magnetic Properties
Here are the typical applications of nickel:
Permanent Magnets
Manufacturers add iron to nickel to create alloys for permanent magnets. These magnets are always permanent in their magnetic field, and optimal for long-use applications. These are electric motors, magnetic storage devices, and sensors.
Magnetic Shielding
Nickel has the property of shielding or even counteracting a magnetic field. The compound is especially applied for magnetic shielding in electronic devices including transformers, motors as well as MRI equipment. Nickel minimizes the interference mainly from external magnetic fields. Moreover, it enhances the accuracy and device reliability.
Data Storage Technology
Nickel-based thin films play a crucial role in data storage applications, such as hard disk drives. These films store data by controlling and freezing magnetic domains. This capability is required for storage provided in high-speed, and capacity, which is mandatory for today’s computing.
Magnetic Sensors
The nickel alloys are used universally in magnetic sensors in every application, automotive and industrial. These sensors measure motion, space, and position based on the magnetoresistive effect by which resistance varies with magnetic fields.
Electric Motors
Nickel has good magnetic properties that qualify it for the production of electric motors. These alloys offer high magnetization capacity. In addition, the efficacy of motors is being used in robotic systems, electric cars, and home appliances among others.
Transformers and Inductors
In electrical transformers and inductors, nickel is applied because of its capability to improve magnetic flux. Nickel-based alloys are applied to transformer cores to increase transformer efficiency due to lower energy loss. Moreover, it guarantees the reliability of power transmission, especially at high frequencies.
Technical FAQs
Q1. How does temperature affect the magnetic properties of nickel?
As temperature increases, nickel’s magnetic properties weaken. Beyond its Curie temperature of approximately 358°C, nickel transitions from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic, losing its ability to retain magnetism.
Q2. Can nickel be used to create permanent magnets?
Yes, when nickel is alloyed with other materials such as iron, nickel is used to create strong permanent magnets that retain magnetism over time and are employed in motors, sensors, and data storage devices.
Q3. What is the Curie temperature of nickel?
The Curie temperature of nickel is around 358°C. At this temperature, nickel loses its ferromagnetic properties and becomes paramagnetic. Meaning it can no longer maintain magnetic alignment without an external magnetic field.
Q4. How does nickel contribute to magnetic shielding?
Nickel’s ferromagnetic properties allow it to redirect magnetic fields. It makes it an effective material for shielding sensitive electronic devices from external magnetic interference, such as in MRI machines and transformers.
Q5. What role does nickel play in data storage technology?
Nickel-based alloys are used in hard disk drives, where their magnetic properties allow for the stable storage and retrieval of data. The manipulation of magnetic domains in nickel films enables high-capacity, reliable data storage.
Conclusion
Nickel’s magnetic properties are essential in various applications, from permanent magnets to magnetic shielding. Its ability to retain magnetism and interact with magnetic fields makes it valuable in electronics, motors, and data storage. As technology advances, nickel’s role in performance enhancements and efficiency remains crucial. Contact us for more information.
