testo=<B>Nickel</B><BR>The name derives from the swedish word Nickel (a nickname for Nicolaus meaning elf) and from the German word kupfernickel (i.e. the devil's copper) bestowed on this element by miners who considered it worthless at that time. Nickel belongs to the iron-group metals, is hard, malleable and ductile. Nickel was discovered in the course of the 13th century even if iots alloys werw already known in the Eastern Countries before the Christian Era. In 1751, nickel was isoleted for the first time, however, its use foe industrial purposes began only in the second half of the  19th century after having been able to obtain substantial quantities of pure metal. Minerals containing nickel were apprecieted in ancient times particulary for the green colour they added to glass. Still today, it is one  of the most common metals in modern industry. Its main application is in steel-alloys, cast irons and other alloys. As a matter of fact, nickel is an important base metal for great alloy-groups such as nickel-iron, nickel-copper, nickel-chromium and nickel-molybdenum. On the other hand, these alloy6s are the base for special  alloys like Monel, Monel 500 with addition of aluminium and titanium, Iconel etc..  All these metals are high temperature resistent and thus, commonly used in foundries.