copper and nickel

[Annie456]

Does copper contain traces of nickel?

[Skids]

Erm, no.  Since copper is a base element, pure copper will only contain copper.  If you alloy the two together you get cupronickel, which is commonly used for coinage (1p and 2p) amongst other things.

[Gef]

Just to point out that 1p and 2p coins have never been made from cupronickel. From 1971 - 1992 they were made from bronze (copper and tin) and since then have been made from copper plated steel. Full details at http://www.royalmint.com/talk/specifications.asp

[Hamish]

Yes. Extreamly pure metals are expensive and the chemistry of copper, nickle, gold silver paltium and paladium are similar therefore separation can be difficult. This is particularly the case for Copper/Nickle<br><br>

A copper rod, 21.5g, at 99.9999% costs about 40 Pounds Sterling. Thats about two pounds a gram. Where as 99%+ costs about 50p a gram.<br><br>

People who are hypersensative to nickel often have platinum weding ring as purification of platinum is much easier.

[Skids]

I stand corrected Gef.  Perhaps its coinage from a foreign country I was thinking of.