A metal discovered in 1751. It is of a silvery-white color, ductile, malleable, stronger than iron, and almost as hard to melt. Nickel is found in Russia, Norway, Germany, New Caledonia, Canada, and the United States. It does not tarnish by exposure to moist air, is very susceptible of magnetism, and magnets are made of it. Nickel is used for plating other metals, to which it gives a beautiful silver-like surface that keeps them from rusting. Nickel is used with steel wrought into armor plates for warships. German silver is an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc, and some white compounds used for small coins are similar alloys.
STEEL YARD, ALSO CALLED A BALANCE.