Niobium (Nb, NbZr1)
Niobium (often called Columbium) is a grey shiny and very ductile metal. The name originates from Niobe (Greek mythology: daughter of Tantalus). The production of raw materials is mainly carried out through Niobite containing ore. Niobium is nearly always found together with Tantalum. Larger ore deposits are located in Brazil, Canada, Russia and Nigeria. Over 80 % of the worldwide Niobium production is used as an alloying element for steel- and super-alloys. Cemented carbides often contain Nb-Carbide.Significant Characteristics and Applications:
- excellent corrosion resistance in concentrated acids and liquid alkaline metals
- very ductile and therefore very good chipless forming
- good heat resistance and high melting point
- below 9.26 Kelvin superconductive
- low neutron capture cross section
Niobium and its alloys are used for chemical process technology, for electronics as a component of superconductors or capacitors, for nuclear technology as reactor components. Electrochemically produced Niobium-Oxide layers generate Newton’s rings. Due to this fact, pure Niobium is also used for jewelry and coin metal.
Important Alloys:
- Nb 99.8+% (R04200 type 1 - Reactor grade unalloyed niobium, Ta <0.1 em="">
- Nb 99.6+% (R04210 type 2 - Commercial grade unalloyed Niobium, Ta <0.3 em="">
- NbZr1 (R04251 type 3 - Reactor grade Niobium Alloy containing 1 % Zirconium)
- NbZr1 (R04261 type 4 - Commercial grade Niobium Alloy containing 1 % Zirconium)
- NbHf10Ti1 (R04295)
ASTM Standard Specifications:
ASTM B392 (Niobium and Niobium Alloy Bar, Rod and Wire)
ASTM B393 (Niobium and Niobium Alloy Strip, Sheet and Plate)
ASTM B394 (Niobium and Niobium Alloy Seamless and Welded Tubes)
ASTM B391 (Niobium and Niobium Alloy Ingots)
ASTM B652/B652M (Niobium-Hafnium-Alloy Ingots)
ASTM B655 /B655M (Niobium-Hafnium-Alloy Bar and Wire)
Range of Products:
Foils, strips, ribbons, sheets, plates, wires, rods, tubes, sputtering targets, crucibles, high temperature components, standard fabricated parts (screws, nuts and others), fabricated parts according to drawings
