色・発色
nickel
Japanese: ニッケル
A non-ferrous metal with a yellowish-brown color.
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Nickel (Ni) is a metal oxide that imparts yellow, brown, gray, and purple hues to glass. It is added in the form of nickel oxide (NiO), but its coloration depends heavily on the glass composition (lead glass, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, etc.), and it can produce completely different colors even at the same concentration. In the context of glass fusing, “nickel sulfide inclusions” can be a particular concern.
When nickel sulfide (NiS) is present in tempered glass, temperature changes can cause a crystalline phase transition, leading to spontaneous breakage. Since fused glass is not tempered, the direct risk is low; however, we recommend checking the manufacturer’s information when using materials that contain nickel. Nickel-based coloration is sensitive to the firing atmosphere, and the color may change significantly under reducing conditions.
Related Concepts
We will study these topics in conjunction with metal oxides, ionization tendencies, coloring versus discoloration, and reduction blackening.
This entry is written in Japanese by Rei Chikaoka and translated for readers outside Japan. If something reads oddly, the original is the source of truth.