The dissolution of metallic nickel in artificial sweat

The dissolution of neutron-irradiated metallic nickel in an artificial sweat formulation has been studied. Variations in dissolution rate were found over a pH range of 3.5 to 6.5, a temperature range of 10 to 40 degrees C and for times up to 6 h. The presence of oxygen increases the dissolution rate markedly. Typical dissolution rates at 30 degrees C vary from 2 X 10(-7) g Ni X cm-2 X min-1 at a pH of 3.5, to 1 X 10(-9) g Ni X cm-2 X min-1 at a pH of 6. The relevance of the data to clinical aspects of nickel dermatitis is discussed.