Nickel is a silver-white yellowish metal with ferromagnetism, a density of 8.9/g.cm-2, and a melting point of 14530C. Metal nickel is easily soluble in dilute nitric acid, insoluble in hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, and is in a passivation state in nitric acid. Nickel reacts with oxygen in the air, and a very thin passivation film is rapidly formed on the surface, which can resist the corrosion of the atmosphere, alkali and some acids. Nickel does not interact with strong bases.

The standard electrode potential of nickel is -0.25V. The application of nickel plating is very wide, which can be divided into two aspects: protection decoration and function.