Substance profile
Nickel
Nickel is a silvery metal and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Nickel is
Nickel is a silvery metal and is odorless. Its molecular formula is Ni and its molecular weight is 58.693 g/mol. It boils at 2730 °C, melts at 1455 °C, is practically insoluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Nickel identifiers and molecular data
Nickel CAS number and EC number
Nickel molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Nickel
- Alcan 123
- Alcan 756
- C.I. 77775
- Celmet
- Dni 20
- E 12
- E 12 (Metal)
- Fibrex
- Fibrex (Metal Fiber)
- Fibrex P
- Fukuda 287
- Hca 1
03 · GHS classification
Nickel hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Nickel pictograms and signal word
Nickel hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin sensitisation GHS chapter 3.4 | Category 1 or 1A or 1B | H317 | GHS07 |
| Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 | Category 2 | H351 | GHS08 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure GHS chapter 3.9 | Category 1 | H372 | GHS08 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Nickel hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Nickel. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Nickel
Our own Nickel safety data sheet walks through all sixteen sections of the published data. What it is not is the document an inspector asks for: an SDS is issued for a product by its supplier, so the sheet covering the grade actually standing in your store exists only in that supplier’s version. Collecting those and keeping them current as suppliers revise them is a separate job.
04 · Precautionary statements
Nickel precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 10 precautionary statements to Nickel. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Nickel name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | никел |
| Spanish español | Níquel |
| Czech čeština | nikl |
| Danish dansk | nikkel |
| German Deutsch | Nickel |
| Estonian eesti | nikkel |
| Greek ελληνικά | νικέλιο |
| English English | nickel |
| French français | nickel |
| Croatian hrvatski | nikal |
| Italian italiano | nichel |
| Latvian latviešu | niķelis |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | nikelis |
| Hungarian magyar | nikkel |
| Maltese Malti | nikil |
| Dutch Nederlands | nikkel |
| Polish polski | nikiel |
| Portuguese português | níquel |
| Romanian română | nichel |
| Slovak slovenčina | nikel |
| Slovenian slovenščina | nikelj |
| Finnish suomi | nikkeli |
| Swedish svenska | nickel |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Nickel GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Nickel, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Nickel
- Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
- If skin irritation or rash occurs:
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Nickel in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Nickel health hazards and exposure limits
Nickel hazard summary
Nickel is a very abundant natural element. Pure nickel is a hard, silvery-white metal. Nickel can be combined with other metals, such as iron, copper, chromium, and zinc, to form alloys. These alloys are used to make coins, jewelry, and items such as valves and heat exchangers. Most nickel is used to make stainless steel. Nickel can combine with other elements such as chlorine, sulfur, and oxygen to form nickel compounds. Many nickel compounds dissolve fairly easy in water and have a green color. Nickel compounds are used for nickel plating, to color ceramics, to make some batteries, and as substances known as catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions. Nickel is found in all soil and is emitted from volcanoes. Nickel is also found in meteorites and on the ocean floor. Nickel and its compounds have no characteristic odor or taste.
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Nickel carcinogenicity classification
CLASSIFICATION: A; human carcinogen. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: Human data in which exposure to nickel refinery dust caused lung and nasal tumors in sulfide nickel matte refinery workers in several epidemiologic studies in different countries and on animal data in which carcinomas were produced in rats by inhalation and injection. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Sufficient.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Metallic Nickel: is listed as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. /Nickel Compounds and Metallic Nickel/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Nickel occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 1.0 [mg/m3], as Ni | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 1 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 1 mg/m3 [*Note: The PEL does not apply to Nickel carbonyl.] See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 0.015 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | Ca TWA 0.015 mg/m3 See Appendix A [*Note: The REL does not apply to Nickel carbonyl.] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 10 mg Ni/m3 ; A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 10.0 [mg/m3], as Ni | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | NIOSH considers nickel metal and other compounds (as Ni) to be a potential occupational carcinogen. /Nickel metal and other compounds (as Ni)/ | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Nickel properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Nickel boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 2730 °C (4946 °F) | HSDB | |
| 2837 °C (5139 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 2837 °C (5139 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Nickel melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 1455 °C (2651 °F) | HSDB | |
| 1555 °C (2831 °F) | NIOSH |
Nickel density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.908 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 8.9 g/cm³ | Metal | NIOSH |
Nickel solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | INSOL IN WATER, AMMONIA; SOL IN DIL NITRIC ACID; SLIGHTLY SOL IN HYDROCHLORIC ACID, SULFURIC ACID | HSDB | |
| Insoluble | NIOSH | ||
| Insoluble (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO |
Nickel vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0 mmHg | approx | NIOSH |
Nickel lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Flammable ... as dust or fume. | HSDB | |
| Metal: Combustible Solid; nickel sponge catalyst may ignite SPONTANEOUSLY in air. | NIOSH |
Nickel upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 2831 °F | OSHA |
Nickel corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Excellent resistance to corrosion | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Handling and storage
Nickel storage and handling
Nickel reactive group
CAMEO Chemicals places Nickel in the reactive group Metals, Elemental and Powder, Active. Compatibility with other chemicals is worked out from the group, not from the individual substance — which is why two substances you have never seen react can still be flagged as a pair that must be separated.
A reactive group is a CAMEO Chemicals (US NOAA) grouping, not a GHS hazard class: it has no code, no category and no legal force. It is what the storage compatibility matrix on this site computes from.
Nickel safe storage
Store only in original packaging. Cool. Well closed. Separated from strong oxidants and acids. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Nickel storage conditions
PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": Storage site should be as close as practicable to lab in which carcinogens are to be used, so that only small quantities required for ... expt need to be carried. Carcinogens should be kept in only one section of cupboard, an explosion proof refrigerator or freezer (depending on chemicophysical properties ...) that bears appropriate label. An inventory ... should be kept, showing quantity of carcinogen & date it was acquired ... Facilities for dispensing ... should be contiguous to storage area. /Chemical Carcinogens/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Nickel incompatible materials
MIXTURES CONTAINING POTASSIUM PERCHLORATE WITH NICKEL & TITANIUM POWDERS & INFUSORIAL EARTH GAVE SEVERE EXPLOSIONS DURING A FRICTION TEST.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Nickel reactivity
NICKEL is not highly reactive in bulk. A reducing agent. Reacts with (is corroded by) acids to generate flammable hydrogen. Burns when heated in oxygen. Incompatible with oxidizing agents such as oxidizing acids, ammonium nitrate, chlorine, potassium perchlorate, nitryl fluoride. Powdered nickel is much more reactive; can ignite in air [Bretherick 1979 p. 170-171].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Nickel in the storage compatibility matrix →
10 · Questions
Nickel — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Nickel?
The CAS number of Nickel is 7440-02-0. Its EC number is 231-111-4.
What is the chemical formula of Nickel?
The molecular formula of Nickel is Ni and its molecular weight is 58.693 g/mol.
What does a Nickel label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Nickel carries the pictograms Health hazard and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Nickel flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Nickel no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it.
Is Nickel a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI assigns Nickel H351 — suspected of causing cancer. That is category 2: the evidence points that way but is not conclusive. IARC places it in Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Nickel?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Nickel is 1.0 [mg/m3], as Ni (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Nickel?
The boiling point reported for Nickel is 2730 °C (4946 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Nickel?
The melting point reported for Nickel is 1455 °C (2651 °F) (HSDB).
How should Nickel be stored?
PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": Storage site should be as close as practicable to lab in which carcinogens are to be used, so that only small quantities required for ... expt need to be carried. Carcinogens should be kept in only one section of cupboard, an explosion proof refrigerator or freezer (depending on chemicophysical properties ...) that bears appropriate label. An inventory ... should be kept, showing quantity of carcinogen & date it was acquired ... Facilities for dispensing ... should be contiguous to storage area. /Chemical Carcinogens/ (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
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