Purity 99.999% · CAS 7440-02-0 · Ni
Nickel Wire 99.999% (5N) — ultra-high purity
Ultra-high purity research quantities
Overview
Electron-beam refined nickel drawn into fine wire in small lots. Produced to order in gram to kilogram quantities rather than held in stock.
Typical trace impurities
| Impurity | Typical max |
|---|---|
| Total metallic | ≤ 10 ppm |
| Fe | ≤ 2 ppm |
| Co | ≤ 2 ppm |
Indicative values. The certificate of analysis for your lot is the binding document.
Where this grade is used
- ▪Fundamental magnetism research
- ▪Isotope target preparation
- ▪Reference material production
Common forms
Fine wire, foil, rod
Specification at a glance
| Material | Nickel Wire (Ni) |
|---|---|
| Purity | 99.999% (5N), metals basis |
| CAS | 7440-02-0 |
| Production route | Vacuum-melted feedstock, cold drawn in a controlled-atmosphere line and bright annealed |
| Available forms | Fine wire, foil, rod |
| Analysis method | GDMS (glow-discharge mass spectrometry) full trace scan |
| Documentation | Certificate of analysis per lot, RoHS and REACH statements, country of origin, full GDMS scan and conflict-minerals declaration on request |
| Typical packaging | 100 g spool · 1 kg spool · 5 kg spool · Bulk drum (25 kg+) |
What 99.999% (5N) actually means
5N is shorthand for 99.999% purity on a metals basis: at most 0.001% of the material, by weight, is something other than Ni. The metals-basis convention excludes dissolved gases and, for powders, surface oxygen — which is why oxygen is quoted separately in the trace table below.
Two lots at the same nominal purity are not interchangeable if the residual elements differ. For this grade the limiting element is typically Total metallic at ≤ 10 ppm. What matters is which impurities your process is sensitive to — judge a lot on its full trace analysis, not on the headline number.
Choosing 5N versus the neighbouring grades
Coming from 99.99% (4N): the step up buys you tighter trace control for ultra-high purity research quantities. If your process tolerates the residuals of 4N, the lower grade remains the more economical and more widely available choice.
When in doubt, qualify both adjacent grades on a sample and run your own incoming inspection before committing a process to either.
Quality control and traceability
Nickel Wire at 99.999% is normally released against a lot-specific certificate of analysis stating the assay, the trace elements measured and the method used (GDMS (glow-discharge mass spectrometry) full trace scan). Well-run lots stay traceable from the refinery batch through to the container that reaches the laboratory.
- ▪A retained sample per lot, so a later question can be re-tested against the original material
- ▪Independent third-party verification, used when the assay is contractually critical
- ▪Incoming inspection on the receiving side — the certificate states the method, not the result you will measure
Handling, storage and shipping
- ▪Spools ship in sealed polyethylene with desiccant; leave the wire on its spool until use to protect the drawn surface.
- ▪Handle bright-annealed wire with clean gloves — fingerprints bake into a visible stain during welding or vacuum bake-out.
- ▪Nickel is not classified as flammable, but fine dust from grinding must be collected; observe local limits for nickel exposure.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from buyers specifying nickel wire at 99.999%.
- Is 99.999% nickel wire the right grade for my application?
- It is the usual choice for ultra-high purity research quantities. Below it, 99.99% (4N) covers less demanding work at lower cost. It is the highest grade we list for this material.
- What does the 5N designation mean?
- The N notation counts the nines in the assay: 5N equals 99.999% Ni on a metals basis, with the balance made up of the trace elements listed in the analysis table.
- Which impurities are measured and reported?
- GDMS (glow-discharge mass spectrometry) full trace scan is used, and a certificate of analysis reports each element in the table above, starting with Total metallic at ≤ 10 ppm. The scope of a scan can be widened to further elements when a process is sensitive to one in particular.
- How is this grade normally packed?
- 100 g spool, 1 kg spool, 5 kg spool, Bulk drum (25 kg+). Handle bright-annealed wire with clean gloves — fingerprints bake into a visible stain during welding or vacuum bake-out.
- Which forms is 99.999% nickel wire available in?
- Commonly: fine wire, foil, rod. The form is often a bigger practical constraint than the assay itself, because the last processing step has to preserve the purity already achieved.