Abstract: A malleable or workable nickel composition consists of a melt containing 0.01 to 0.15% by weight oxygen, the balance nickel, which is cast into an ingot and subjected to hotforming to break up the nickel/nickel-oxide eutectic and distribute the nickel oxide in the lattice structure in finely divided form. Preferably the melt contains 0.02 to 0.12% by weight oxygen, the balance nickel.

Abstract: A workable nickel material is made by forming a melt consisting essentially of 0.01 to 0.15% by weight oxygen, elements having an affinity for oxygen defined as the negative numerical value of the enthalpy of formation of the corresponding oxide in Kcal/mole which does not exceed 92 Kcal/mole in an amount homogeneously mixable with nickel, 0 to 0.3% manganese, cerium or rare earth elements in an amount up to that which will combine with up to 20% (e.g. 10 to 20%) by weight of the oxygen, balance nickel, and adjusting the oxygen content to that level. The melt is cast to form an ingot which is worked to destroy the nickel-nickel oxide eutectic structure and to dispense the nickel oxide in the metal. The result is a highly workable nickel material containing a high proportion of nickel oxide.