Niobium

Niobium is a <a href="/facts/Chemical_element/0jducgWD">chemical element</a>; it has <a href="/facts/Chemical_symbol/2Fe1VAL0">symbol</a> Nb (formerly columbium, Cb) and <a href="/facts/Atomic_number/bgAr581S">atomic number</a> 41. It is a light grey, crystalline, and <a href="/facts/Ductility/SBJsahEk">ductile</a> <a href="/facts/Transition_metal/0slGWoLQ">transition metal</a>. Pure niobium has a <a href="/facts/Mohs_scale_of_mineral_hardness/wXBMcVIm">Mohs hardness</a> rating similar to pure <a href="/facts/Titanium/53ArnDoy">titanium</a>, and it has similar ductility to <a href="/facts/Iron/QK1JYy8E">iron</a>. Niobium oxidizes in Earth's <a href="/facts/Atmosphere/oUpLaGRF">atmosphere</a> very slowly, hence its application in jewelry as a <a href="/facts/Hypoallergenic/JlHuSvaS">hypoallergenic</a> alternative to <a href="/facts/Nickel/KwMCHYRP">nickel</a>. Niobium is often found in the minerals <a href="/facts/Pyrochlore/jxGjaSv8">pyrochlore</a> and <a href="/facts/Columbite/TLtIHgpR">columbite</a>. Its name comes from <a href="/facts/Greek_mythology/M7k4FvW8">Greek mythology</a>: <a href="/facts/Niobe/3CmsQoMN">Niobe</a>, daughter of <a href="/facts/Tantalus/dEVcNBCa">Tantalus</a>, the namesake of <a href="/facts/Tantalum/VwaxMm33">tantalum</a>. The name reflects the great similarity between the two elements in their physical and chemical properties, which makes them difficult to distinguish.
English chemist <a href="/facts/Charles_Hatchett/ShhsahJz">Charles Hatchett</a> reported a new element similar to tantalum in 1801 and named it columbium. In 1809, English chemist <a href="/facts/William_Hyde_Wollaston/U0MXYKA3">William Hyde Wollaston</a> wrongly concluded that tantalum and columbium were identical. German chemist <a href="/facts/Heinrich_Rose/Dq5okQCt">Heinrich Rose</a> determined in 1846 that tantalum ores contain a second element, which he named niobium. In 1864 and 1865, a series of scientific findings clarified that niobium and columbium were the same element (as distinguished from tantalum), and for a century both names were used interchangeably. Niobium was officially adopted as the name of the element in 1949, but the name columbium remains in current use in metallurgy in the United States.
It was not until the early 20th century that niobium was first used commercially. Niobium is an important addition to high-strength low-alloy steels. Brazil is the leading producer of niobium and <a href="/facts/Ferroniobium/wWXkG7dU">ferroniobium</a>, an <a href="/facts/Alloy/I7w7WQWR">alloy</a> of 60–70% niobium with iron. Niobium is used mostly in alloys, the largest part in special <a href="/facts/Steel/aN6qWo4H">steel</a> such as that used in gas <a href="/facts/Pipeline_transport/gEmKcFhD">pipelines</a>. Although these alloys contain a maximum of 0.1%, the small percentage of niobium enhances the strength of the steel by scavenging <a href="/facts/Carbide/xfCMTjYJ">carbide</a> and <a href="/facts/Nitride/9vkrCbJ4">nitride</a>. The temperature stability of niobium-containing <a href="/facts/Superalloy/UwshApNV">superalloys</a> is important for its use in <a href="/facts/Jet_engine/CJjFpeqt">jet</a> and <a href="/facts/Rocket_engine/XT5gaFAb">rocket engines</a>.
Niobium is used in various <a href="/facts/Superconductivity/pqQAlSzJ">superconducting</a> materials. These <a href="/facts/Type-II_superconductor/8V4UTGjY">alloys</a>, also containing <a href="/facts/Titanium/53ArnDoy">titanium</a> and <a href="/facts/Tin/obW9mqc3">tin</a>, are widely used in the <a href="/facts/Superconducting_magnet/bRWH01s5">superconducting magnets</a> of <a href="/facts/Magnetic_resonance_imaging/Vh9yG9qq">MRI scanners</a>. Other applications of niobium include welding, nuclear industries, electronics, optics, <a href="/facts/Numismatics/gJDe3Lr5">numismatics</a>, and jewelry. In the last two applications, the low toxicity and iridescence produced by <a href="/facts/Anodization/06Njuj3v">anodization</a> are highly desired properties.

Niobium open-in-new

Niobium