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The amount of nickel is regulated in European products that come into direct and prolonged contact with human skin because this metal may cause contact allergy, particularly hand eczema. Here we show that 1- and 2-euro coins induce positive skin-test reactions in sensitized individuals and release 240-320-fold more nickel than is allowed under the European Union Nickel Directive. A factor contributing to this high release of nickel is corrosion due to the bimetallic structure of these coins, which generates a galvanic potential of 30-40 mV in human sweat.

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Nickel and nitrogen are the two most widely used alloying elements which can impart the face-centered-cubic crystal lattice to stainless steels. With the recent price increases and the price volatility of nickel, nitrogen is ever more important as an alloying element for a number of reasons. First, nitrogen is easily available everywhere and thus is not subject to speculation at the Metal Exchange. Second, in addition to making stainless steels austenitic, nitrogen can also make them stronger and more corrosion resistant.It is also a well and clearly established fact since many years, that nitrogen in solid solution makes austenitic stainless steels more wear resistant and more fatigue resistant.Austenitic stainless steel alloy design with nitrogen has for many years now taken account of the role of carbon. This is not only because carbon is just a useful austenite former, but also because nitrogen reduces the temperature where carbides begin to form. Thus there is always an optimum carbon to nitrogen ratio. Finally it is now well established that carbon in solid solution helps to increase the strength, the corrosion resistance and the wear resistance of austenitic stainless steels.A number of quantitative correlations between alloy composition and materials properties are presented and their useful role in alloy design is pointed out. This will further help to lower the nickel content in austenitic stainless steels or even replace nickel altogether.Key words: nitrogen steels, stainless steels, austenitic steels, strength, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, carbon in solid solution.

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