Niobium(Nb)

MetalsTek supplies niobium in wrought forms, powders, compounds, alloys, and deposition materials. Use the product cards below to choose the form that matches your process, then check the relevant product page for its specifications. Include the required grade or composition, dimensions, quantity, and inspection needs in your RFQ.

Description

Niobium(Nb), a metallic element with a crystalline, grey appearance, boasts remarkable heat resistance and several sought-after qualities for industrial use. It is extensively employed in crafting diverse metal alloys. Even in minimal amounts (as low as 0.1%), niobium profoundly enhances the performance attributes of metals. MetalsTek provides a comprehensive range of niobium products, including pure, alloy, and oxide variants, available in various forms, such as sheets, plates, rods, wires, tubes, strips, foils, and oxides.

Niobium’s key characteristics:

Physical Properties: Niobium exhibits a lustrous, gray appearance and possesses a high melting point of around 2,477°C/4,491°F, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.
Ductility and Malleability: It is highly ductile and malleable, allowing it to be easily fabricated into wires, sheets, and other forms.
Corrosion Resistance:Niobium demonstrates remarkable resistance to corrosion, particularly in aggressive chemical environments.
Superconductivity At low temperatures, niobium becomes superconductive, making it crucial in superconducting applications and technology.

MetalsTek Supplies:

Niobium Metal

Explore niobium sheet, foil, wire, rod, tube, powder and crucibles. Check each product page for the listed grade and size range; include your drawing and quantity with an RFQ.

Niobium Alloys

Explore niobium-hafnium, niobium-zirconium, C-103 and other niobium alloy pages. State the required composition, product form, drawing and quantity in your RFQ.

Niobium Compounds

Explore the niobium pentoxide and niobium carbide product pages. Specify the compound, required form, analytical requirements and quantity when requesting a quote.

Niobium Evaporation Materials

Niobium, LaNbO3, LiNbO3, Nb2O5, NbN, NbC, NbSi2, NbSe2, and NbTe2 evaporation materials are listed. Specify the exact composition, form, and required purity for quotation.

Other Niobium Products

Lithium Niobate Wafers, Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3), Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate Crystal (LiNbO3, PPLN), Niobium Disulfide Crystal (NbS2 Crystal), Niobium Ditelluride Crystal, and Niobium Diselenide Crystal are listed. Specify the exact compound, crystal form, and required purity for quotation.

Niobium Properties

Phase At STP	Solid	Electrical Resistivity	152 nΩ⋅m (at 0°C)
Melting Point	2,750 K (2,477°C/4,491°F)	Magnetic Ordering	Paramagnetic
Boiling Point	5,017 K (4,744°C/8,571°F)	Young’S Modulus	105 GPa
Density (Near R.T.)	8.57 g/cm³	Shear Modulus	38 GPa
Appearance	Grey, Metallic	Bulk Modulus	170 GPa
Heat Of Fusion	30 kJ/mol	Poisson Ratio	0.4
Heat Of Vaporization	689.9 kJ/mol	Mohs Hardness	6
Molar Heat Capacity	24.60 J/(mol·K)	Vickers Hardness	870–1,320 MPa
Thermal Expansion	7.3 µm/(m⋅K)	Brinell Hardness	735–2,450 MPa
Thermal Conductivity	53.7 W/(m⋅K)	CAS Number	7440-03-1

Applications

Superconductors: Niobium and its alloys, such as niobium-titanium (Nb-Ti) and niobium-tin (Nb3Sn), are used in superconducting magnets for applications in MRI machines, particle accelerators, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Aerospace and Defense:Due to its strength, high melting point, and resistance to extreme conditions, niobium finds usage in aerospace components, missile technology, and superalloys.
Steel and Alloys:It is used as an alloying element, enhancing the properties of various metals, including stainless steel, where it contributes to strength and corrosion resistance.
Chemical Processing:Niobium’s resistance to corrosion makes it suitable for use in chemical processing equipment, especially in environments with corrosive substances.
Biomedical Implants:In some cases, niobium has been explored for potential use in biomedical implants due to its biocompatibility and inertness.

Unique Applications

Niobium Capacitors:Niobium capacitors are utilized in electronics for their stable electrical characteristics and reliability, particularly in smaller electronic devices.

The “sister elements”: Tantalum & Niobium

Tantalum and niobium, often referred to as “sister elements,” share several similarities due to their close relationship in the periodic table and their comparable chemical properties. These elements exhibit nearly identical chemical behaviors and physical properties, often occurring together in nature due to their analogous atomic structures.

Physical and Chemical Similarities

Chemical Composition: Tantalum (Ta) and niobium (Nb) belong to the same group (Group 5) of transition metals in the periodic table, sharing similarities in their electronic configurations and chemical behavior.
Physical Properties: They share resemblances in their physical properties, including high melting points, densities, and resistance to corrosion, making them suitable for similar industrial applications.
Occurrence: Tantalum and niobium are often found together in nature due to their similar chemical properties. Their ores, collectively known as columbite-tantalite or coltan, are frequently co-mined and are commonly found in regions like Africa and Australia.

For more about Tantalum, please click Tantalum Products.

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Niobium(Nb)

Description

MetalsTek Supplies:

Niobium Properties

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The “sister elements”: Tantalum & Niobium

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