Applications of nickel foil

    Ultra-thin nickel foil has myriad uses across many industrial sectors. We take a look at five of its key applications
     
    The nickel foil supplied by Corrotherm undergoes an electro-deposition process, which is key to producing a material that is incredibly thin but also wider than is possible to achieve using conventional rolling methods. This produces a product that is vastly versatile and can be applied to many different projects and components.

    This type of electroformed nickel foil has many attractive properties, including high chemical purity, an excellent surface finish and good etching characteristics, as well as retaining high corrosion resistance and strength as expected from a high-quality nickel base.

    This exceptional nickel foil can only be produced using modern techniques in the hands of skilled manufacturers, but it fills a niche in the market where absolute precision is needed in the materials used. Here we look at five applications for nickel foil that take advantage of its specific properties.

    Battery mesh

    We all need batteries for everything we use in our day-to-day life, therefore it’s no surprise that there is an ongoing drive to invest in and improve battery technology. This includes ensuring that all the materials used in creating batteries are of the highest specification. Battery technology uses thin foils, which lend certain properties to the battery design, and nickel foil is a good option, thanks to its corrosion resistance, which means that it can be used in a wide range of battery installations.

    Printed resistor/circuit boards

    Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are at the heart of most mass-produced electronic devices, and are often built up of many layers to accommodate the maximum number of components in the smallest of spaces, as consumer demand for smaller technology increases. Nickel foil is used within this sector as it is so ultra-thin, helping to save space, as well as giving resistance to corrosion and being naturally conductive.

    Heating elements

    The nickel foil supplied by Corrotherm is high-purity nickel (over 99.7% nickel), which means that it retains the properties of the pure element, including its exceptional corrosion resistance and also its ability to withstand high temperatures and remain strong. It is used to produce high-specification heating elements, thanks to its high resistance to the flow of electricity combined with its heat resistance.

    Aerospace

    The aerospace industry is constantly developing and finding innovative new ways to create components. Weight is always a key concern, and this nickel foil is thin but can be produced in large widths to accommodate such projects. It retains a good tensile strength, which is another key property for use in the aerospace environment. It is also used for military and defence purposes.

    Security tags

    It’s a small item that is easily overlooked, but a security tag is actually packed with technology and it is another area that makes use of nickel foil. Nickel foil has inherent magnetic properties, which is essential in the creation of these small tags, as well as proving strong and yet flexible. Security tags are constantly being redeveloped to work in a smarter fashion, and they will continue to require the most cutting-edge materials.

    To find out more about nickel foil, see our recent Product Focus on the blog.

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