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STEEL AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE NICKEL REGULATIONS

The use of nickel is regulated in products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin as it may cause an allergic reaction. The Laboratory at the Birmingham Assay Office is a leading Nickel testing specialist in the UK.  Our experts regularly work with the Nickel Working Group, Nickel Development Institute, British Medical Association and the Nickel Producers Environmental Research Association to carry out ongoing research and evaluation of nickel testing and regulation. The Laboratory is also frequently called upon to offer technical advice and investigate possible reasons for a particular product being non-compliant.

Whenever any product component is marked as ‘Non-compliant’ or ‘Re-submit to EN1811’ after testing by the reference standard EN 1811 or by the New ‘Quick Nickel Release Test’, the Laboratory at the Birmingham Assay Office investigate  possible reasons for the failure/nickel release as a matter of routine. These investigations are undertaken purely out of academic interest and such information is passed on to Customers only when it is absolutely compelling and in the public interest.

Examination of testing data carried out recently clearly indicates that some steel product components; specifically the watch back’s and earring post of earring post assemblies, which were identified as being ‘Non-compliant’ as they were releasing nickel at a level greater than the threshold value specified in the EN 1811 reference standard exhibited the following approximate compositions:

7.0-8.0%Manganese, 14.5-15.5%Chromium, 4.0-4.2%Nickel, 1.5-2.0%Copper, Plus others (includes carbon, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, nitrogen and iron)

8.5-10%Manganese, 15.0-16.0%Chromium, 0.8-1.2%Nickel, 1.5-2.0%Copper

Plus others (includes carbon, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, nitrogen and iron)

0.5-1.0%Manganese, 11.5-14.0%Chromium, 3.5-5.5%Nickel, 0.50-1.0% Molybdenum Plus others (includes carbon, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, and iron)

1.0%Manganese, 11.5-13.5%Chromium, 1.2-2.5%Nickel Plus others (includes carbon, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, and iron)

There is evidence available in the literature that an alloy of the above composition(s) exhibits variable nickel release results, the rate of nickel release some time could be significantly lower or higher than the threshold value specified in the EN 1811 reference standard. The extent of this variability is largely dependent upon sulphur content, surface finish, nickel content, corrosivity and metallurgical aspects. Alloys of such composition usually fail to comply with the requirements of the Nickel Regulations stipulated for piercing post assemblies (i.e. less than 0.2microgram per square centimeter per week). An alloy of the above composition in majority of cases could therefore cause a health hazard to those sensitive to nickel to the highest degree. For this reason, manufacturers of nickel containing jewellery often prefer to use 316L steel (Approximate composition of 316L Steel: Fe, <0.03% C, 16-18.5% Cr, 10-14% Ni, 2-3% Mo, <2% Mn, <1% Si, <0.045% P, <0.03% S) in piercing post assemblies and other similar products, which in the majority of cases is known to comply with the requirements of the Nickel Regulations, provided they are used correctly, and the surface of the product is not contaminated by nickel during the fabrication process; for example by drawing a wire through a stainless steel die, pressing, plating with a nickel containing solution etc.

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