How was nickel used in Chinese pai-t’ung alloy?

In the context of Chinese pai-t’ung (also known as paktong or white copper), nickel was utilized as a primary component of a white alloy derived from copper-nickel ores found in Yunnan province.12

As early as 200 BCE, the Chinese smelted these ores to create the alloy, which was later improved through the addition of zinc ores. This material, which is now identified as nickel silver, was valued for its silvery appearance and was historically exported to the Middle East and Europe. It was not until 1776 that it was scientifically established that pai-t’ung was composed of a mixture of copper, nickel, and zinc.12