CARBONYL NICKEL POWDER.

Carbonyl nickel powders are mainly used to produce nickel sintered plaque with high porosity and good mechanical strength for alkaline batteries. Two different types of carbonyl processes are used for the production of nickel powders. One is the atmospheric pressure process and the other is a high pressure process. The former requires active nickel separated from the slag; the latter is able to utilize less pure refinery feeds and accelerates the carbonyl reaction process. These production processes are described. The annual total output of carbonyl nickel powders in the world is about 20,000 tons and about 45 percent of the total output is battery grade (Types 255 and 278). Carbonyl nickel powders throughout the world are produced only at INCO Limited.