About 85% to 90% of the world’s niobium is used in iron and steel production in the form of ferroniobium. Niobium is also used in medical applications such as pacemakers and prosthetics owing to its hypoallergenic properties. The Uses of Niobium in the Electronics Industry. 8Zr, FS-82 (Cb-34Ta-0. In addition, niobic acid is an important catalyst. In addition to the use of niobium metal in electron tubes and in other electronic equipment, it is used as an alloying element in certain stainless steels, in special grades of low-alloy steels, and in certain nickel-base superalloys and iron-base electrical alloys. Anodizing is a process that colors the metal by dipping it into an electrically charged "bath" which results in bright colors. Copyright © 1994-2019 Stanford Advanced Materials, All Rights Reserved. A number of alloy-development programs have been set up to try to overcome this problem. In this article, we will take a look at the. Certain compounds and alloys of niobium have high superconducting transition temperatures and are therefore widely used in the manufacture of various industrial superconductors, such as superconducting generators, superconducting magnetic energy storage devices, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging equipment, and so on. The anodized tool carries up to 120 volts of electricity and can be fatal if used incorrectly. It is a soft, grey metal that is naturally found in the minerals pyrochlore and columbite. The process is somewhat complicated and requires a number of chemical tools including an SMT Micro Anodizer, distilled water, chemical solutions, safety gloves and glasses, and more. In the chemical industry, niobium is a high-quality material resistant to acids and liquid metals. Niobium is also used in the foundry industry to form hard carbides (good for wear) and to change the shape and size of graphite sheets, so it is often used in the manufacture of automobile cylinder heads, piston rings, and brake pads. Niobium jewelry findings are good alternatives to precious metals. Will Molybdenum Combine with Other Elements? What are Nickel Silver, German Silver and Alpaca? What Is Niobium Used For In Everyday Life? They are crystals for optoelectronics and electronics. In addition, niobium is sometimes used with gold and silver on commemorative coins. The Uses of Niobium in the Aerospace Industry. 05 0-0. There are a number of anodizing coloring techniques beyond one solid color. These include a rainbow effect, solid color blocking, or even a spot anodizing process that creates a painted design. Any cutting, forming, and finishing on homemade niobium jewelry should be completed before anodizing the metal. Niobium is a gray metal that is ductile, which means that wires can be formed from it. They have good piezoelectric and optical properties and are widely used in infrared, laser technology and electronics industries. It can be used to make cookers, heaters, coolers, etc. Copyright © 1994-2019 Stanford Advanced Materials, All Rights Reserved. The development of niobium metal and its alloys for elevated-temperature structural applications was started only a few years ago, but considerable progress has been made since then. It is a very suitable material for atomic energy reactors. Because of this, and the high-temperature strength and favorable nuclear properties, there has been extensive development of niobium base alloys for airborne nuclear reactors. Coatings are also being developed for niobium and its alloys to prevent oxidation at elevated temperatures. Specifically, it can conduct electricity with no electrical resistance. Once it is anodized, any additional work on the metal will negatively impact the iridescent colors. Your email address will not be published. Niobium can also be used in the lighting industry. Pure niobium is very ductile and can be cold worked easily at room temperature. Your email address will not be published. In addition, niobium has a high melting point, a strong ability to emit electrons, and has a gettering ability, which can be used to make electronic tubes and other electric vacuum devices. Niobium is a grey metal with a high melting point (2,477°C). This means that when it is cooled, it can conduct electricity very easily. As a natural ore, niobium occurs together with tantalum. Your email address will not be published. However, cast ingots of niobium alloys have been extruded successfully from 1200 to 3000 F and forged at 2300 F. At least one high-strength niobium alloy, which has been so prepared as to contain only very small amounts of contaminating elements, has been extruded successfully at room temperature. One factor that has been important in the development of niobium is its low capture cross-section for thermal neutrons in nuclear applications. Required fields are marked *. It cannot be soldered using standard soldering equipment. Often used in jewelry making because of its hypoallergenic properties, this metal is a safe choice for anyone with metal allergies. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California, America, Advanced Refractory Metals (ARM) is one of the leading manufacturers & suppliers of refractory metals around the world, providing customers with high-quality refractory metal products like tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, rhenium, titanium, and zirconium at a very competitive price. Niobium and tantalum heat-strength alloys have good heat-strength properties, heat resistance, and processing properties, and are widely used in the manufacture of aero-engine parts and gas turbine blades. Niobium is highly malleable, lightweight, highly resistant to corrosion, and hard. Niobium, abbreviated as Nb, is a metal that is gray in appearance and ideal for use with steel to create an alloy that can be used in a number of products. 05C) 15-20 (Cb-15W-2OTa), D-31 (Cb-1OMo-1OTi) 20-20 (Cb-20W-2OTa).