Nickel is in group 10(VIII) and is the third element in a special triplet (Fe, Co, Ni) of the first series of transition elements. Nickel is a hard, silver-white, malleable metal nugget or gray powder. Nickel powder is pyrophoric and can spontaneously ignite. It may react violently with titanium, ammonium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, and hydrochloric acid. It is incompatible with acids, oxidants and sulfur. The chemical and physical properties of nickel, especially its magnetic properties, are similar to those of iron and cobalt. Some acids attack nickel, but it also provides good protection against air and seawater corrosion. This makes it ideal for electroplating other metals to form protective coatings. Nickel is also an excellent alloying metal, especially iron, used to make stainless steel as well as protective armor for military vehicles. It is malleable and can be drawn into wire. About one pound of nickel metal can be pulled to about 200 miles of fine wire.