Niobium

Company Profile

Xi'an Econ Industrial Corp is located in Xi’an, China, specializing in producing and exporting refractory metal products, which include molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, and their alloys. It is one of the earliest professional manufacturers engaged in the research, development, production and service of tungsten, molybdenum and their alloy plates, rods, sheets, foils, rods and deep processed products in China. The company has a full range of technical R&D personnel and production technicians for tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, niobium and their deep processing equipment, as well as various refractory high-temperature products.

Why Choose Us

Our Products

Specializing in producing and exporting refractory metal products, which include molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, and their alloys. It is one of the earliest professional manufacturers engaged in the research, development, production and service of tungsten, molybdenum and their alloy plates, rods, sheets, foils, rods and deep processed products in China.

Product Application

With decades of experience and state-of-the-art technologies, we especially concentrate on designing, researching and developing down-stream processed and finished products for many kinds of industrial applications in such fields as high temperature, anti-corrosion, electronics , lighting, medical equipments, radiation shielding and semiconductor .

Our Factory

Xi'an Econ Industrial Corp is located in Xi’an, China, specializing in producing and exporting refractory metal products, which include molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, and their alloys.

Certificate

As an As an ISO9001:2015 certified company, we are equipped with complete production line, from sintering & E-beam smelting to forging, rolling, machining and stringent testing procedures, which enables us to supply our customers with varieties of refractory metal products. The products are well recognized in overseas market, including America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Niobium Wire

1.Material：pure Niobium, Niobium alloy. 2.Size : dia0.25-3mm. 3.Standard: ASTM B392-98B. 4.Application:Niobium wire is widely used in chemical industry，superconductive material and high temperature

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Niobium Strip

Niobium Strip/plate/foil

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Niobium Tube

XIAN ECON INDUSTRIAL CORP. supplies quality pure niobium tube and niobium alloy tube. which is widely used in chemical industry, or as superconductor material etc.

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Niobium Plate

XIAN ECON INDUSTRIAL CORP. supplies quality niobium plate, niobium-zirconium alloy plate, niobium sheet, niobium foil and niobium strip.

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high purity 99.95% polished niobium rod/bar

1.Product name:99.95% polished niobium rod. 2.Model Number:Nb1 Nb2. 3.Application:industrial, electric light source etc.. 4.Material:99.95% niobium. 5.Shape:Rod/Bar Round square customized.

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Niobium Target

What is Niobium?

Niobium is a shiny, white, ductile metal. In air an oxide layer forms whose color depends on its thickness. Shades of blue, green and yellow are typical.
It has a wide range of uses from use in hypoallergenic jewelry to jet engines to superconducting magnets.
Niobium resists corrosion due to the oxide film. The metal starts to oxidize rapidly in air at 200 oC.
Niobium’s chemical properties are very similar to those of tantalum.
Niobium is one of the five major refractory metals (metals with very high resistance to heat and wear). The other refractory metals are tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum and rhenium.

Benefits of Niobium

Niobium is an incredibly strong yet lightweight metal, making it perfect for use in applications where weight matters. Additionally, Niobium has excellent heat resistance properties, so it can be used in environments where high temperatures are common. It also has extremely high corrosion resistance and is non-magnetic, so it won’t interfere with sensitive equipment like MRI machines or navigational instruments. Finally, Niobium has a thermal conductivity that’s much higher than other metals, and its electrical conductivity is lower than copper, which makes it highly suitable for electrical applications such as superconductors.

● Niobium is a very strong metal.
● Niobium is resistant to corrosion.
● Niobium has a very high melting point.
● Niobium is used in many different industries.
● Niobium is relatively inexpensive.

Types of Niobium

Niobium Sheet

Niobium is a soft, grey transition metal with excellent alloying properties and widespread applications in high-tech equipment such as superconducting magnets and MRI scanners.
Niobium’s low toxicity and iridescence make it ideal for jewellery and decorative applications, such as anodization. Anodization produces a controlled and repeatable range of colours which don’t rust or tarnish and can easily be polished or buffed to achieve high-luster finishes.
It is produced through cold rolling procedures and chemically pure for various reactive applications. They are also available as coils that are utilized in semiconductor & electronic energy applications.

Niobium Foil

Niobium is a soft, grey transition metal similar to tantalum with properties close to tantalum that finds use across medical applications and steel production processes.
As part of its corrosion resistance and strength properties, titanium is often added to stainless steel for corrosion protection and strength enhancement. Furthermore, it serves as a flux in welding rods.
Niobium is also an ideal material for superconducting magnets used in MRI scanners due to its excellent flexibility and oxidation resistance, making it a suitable addition.

Niobium Strip

Niobium is a light grey, crystalline transition metal with high flexibility properties that make it suitable for electroplating jewellery designs and superconductivity applications. Additionally, this versatile metal has many industrial uses as it has been found in superconducting materials and applications.
Thermal neutron capture cross-section measurements are low, making this material suitable for nuclear applications such as those found in MRI scanner magnets.
Aluminum’s high melting point and excellent corrosion resistance make it a desirable material for fabrication parts, and it can even be alloyed with nickel or iron to create superconducting materials.

Application of Niobium

The Uses Of Niobium In The MEtal Industry
About 85% to 90% of the world’s niobium is used in iron and steel production in the form of ferroniobium. Adding 0.03% to 0.05% of niobium in the steel can increase the yield strength of the steel by more than 30%.
Therefore, adding niobium to steel can not only improve the strength of the steel, but also improve the toughness, high-temperature oxidation resistance, and corrosion resistance of the steel, reduce the brittle transition temperature of the steel, and make the steel have good welding performance and formability.

The Uses Of Niobium In The Superconducting Materials Industry
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 Uses Of Niobium In The Aerospace Industry
The aerospace industry is the main application area of high-purity niobium, and niobium is mainly used in the production of rockets, spacecraft engines, and heat-resistant components.

The Uses of Niobium in the Aerospace Industry
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.

The Uses Of Niobium In The Atomic Energy Industry
Niobium has good thermal conductivity, high melting point, good corrosion resistance, and low neutron capture cross-section. It is a very suitable material for atomic energy reactors.
The main uses of niobium in the atomic energy industry include jacket materials for nuclear fuel, alloys for nuclear fuel, and structural materials for heat exchangers in nuclear reactors.

The Uses Of Niobium In The Electronics Industry
Niobate ceramics can be used to make capacitors, single crystals of compounds such as lithium niobate and potassium niobate. They are crystals for optoelectronics and electronics. They have good piezoelectric and optical properties and are widely used in infrared, laser technology, and electronics industries.

The Uses Of Niobium In The MEdical Field
Niobium has good resistance to physiological corrosion and biocompatibility, will not interact with various liquid substances in the human body, and will hardly damage living organism tissues. Niobium can adapt to any sterilization method, so it is often used in the manufacture of bone plates, skull plate bone screws, dental implant roots, surgical appliances, and the like.

The Uses Of Niobium In The Chemical Industry
In the chemical industry, niobium is a high-quality material resistant to acids and liquid metals. It can be used to make cookers, heaters, coolers, etc. In addition, niobic acid is an important catalyst.

The Uses Of Niobium In The Foundry Industry
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. In addition, niobium is sometimes used with gold and silver on commemorative coins.

The Characteristics and Manufacturing Process of Niobium

Niobium—initially known as columbium—is a lustrous gray metal with a high melting point and low density. It is highly ductile and superconductive.

There are two main processes used for niobium production. They are utilized depending on whether pyrochlore or columbite and tantalum-bearing ores are being processed.

99.95% fine niobium isolated on white background

Pyrochlore Ores: These ores undergo a process that converts the niobium oxide into HSLA ferroniobium. The conversion is performed either through an aluminothermic reduction process or by reduction in an electric arc furnace.

Columbite and Tantalum-bearing Ores: These ores undergo the same chemical process outlined in the Tantalum section. Typically, ammonia is introduced to the purified solution of niobium to convert it into niobium hydroxide. The resulting compound is then washed, filtered, and calcined.

Metal Production: The calcined niobium hydroxide is then reduced to pure niobium metal using an electrolytic or chemical reduction process.

Two separate processing schemes are utilized for niobium production

Those companies that mine pyrochlore convert the niobium oxide units into HSLA ferroniobium through the aluminothermic reduction process or by reduction in an electric arc furnace. CBMM has installed capacity for the production of a high purity oxide that can be used to produce vacuum grade ferro- and nickel-niobium as well as niobium metal ingots via electron beam refining.

The use of columbite and tantalum-bearing ores, such as tantalite, as feedstocks results in the necessity to process these materials chemically as described in the tantalum section. The purified niobium-containing process stream is generally converted to niobium hydroxide by the introduction of ammonia, followed by washing, filtration, and calcining to the oxide. Purities exceeding 99.99% can be achieved.

Niobium oxide (Nb2O5) is generally the starting chemical for the production of other compounds, such as niobium chloride (NbCl5), niobium carbide (NbC), or lithium niobate (LiNbO3). Niobium metal is produced by the aluminothermic reduction of the oxide followed by electron beam refining. Niobium powders can be produced by the reduction of potassium niobium heptafluoride (K2NbF7) with sodium, or by the reduction of niobium oxide with magnesium.

The various metallurgical products are generally produced from electron beam or vacuum arc melted niobium ingot. Double and triple melt ingots achieve a very high level of purification with respect to metallics and interstitial elements. Ingots are used to produce niobium alloys such as niobium-1% zirconium, niobium-titanium, C-103, Inconels, and others.

Chemical Properties of Niobium

Niobium is a transition metal with distinct chemical properties that make it valuable in various industrial applications. Its chemical behavior is influenced by its electron configuration and position in the periodic table. Here are some of the key chemical properties of niobium:

Corrosion Resistance

Niobium exhibits excellent resistance to corrosion due to the formation of a protective oxide layer on its surface.
This oxide layer effectively protects niobium from further reaction with oxygen, making it stable in air at room temperature.

Reactivity with Acids

While niobium is resistant to corrosion in air, it dissolves in hot, concentrated acids.
For example, niobium reacts with hydrofluoric acid (HF) to form niobium(V) fluoride (NbF₅).
Equation: Nb+5HF→NbF₅+2.5H₂↑

Formation of Oxides

Upon heating in air, niobium forms niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅), indicating its ability to form multiple oxidation states, predominantly +5.
Equation: 2Nb+5O₂→Nb₂O₅

Alloying with Other Metals

Niobium readily forms alloys with many other metals, enhancing their strength and resistance to heat. This is particularly valuable in the aerospace and steel industries.

Formation of Complexes

In various oxidation states, niobium forms complex compounds with other elements, including halogens and oxygen. For example, niobium forms complex halides such as NbCl₅ in its +5 oxidation state.

Reactivity with Nonmetals

Niobium reacts with nonmetals at high temperatures. For instance, it reacts with nitrogen to form niobium nitride (NbN), which has superconducting properties.
Equation: Nb+N₂→NbN

Steps to Extract and Prepare Pure Niobium Metal

The preparation of niobium involves several complex processes due to its strong affinity for oxygen and other elements. The primary source of niobium is from the minerals pyrochlore and columbite. The steps to extract and prepare pure niobium metal are outlined below:

Ore Concentration

The first step involves crushing the niobium-containing minerals and then using flotation processes to concentrate the niobium ore.

Extraction

The concentrated ore undergoes a series of chemical reactions. It is often processed by first converting it into niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅), which is then reacted with hydrofluoric acid to form niobium fluoride (NbF₅).

Reduction

The niobium fluoride is then reduced to metallic niobium using either a thermal reduction process with sodium (Na) or by electrolysis in a molten salt solution. The thermal reduction process involves heating niobium fluoride with sodium at high temperatures, which results in the formation of niobium and sodium fluoride (NaF). Alternatively, the electrolytic reduction process in a molten salt bath can produce high-purity niobium.

Purification

The crude niobium obtained from the reduction process contains impurities that must be removed to achieve the desired purity. This is typically done through a vacuum or inert gas purification process, where the metal is heated to high temperatures, causing the impurities to volatilize and separate from the niobium.

Final Processing

The purified niobium is then melted and cast into ingots or processed further into various forms, such as sheets, rods, or wires, depending on its intended application.

Why is Niobium Used in Superalloys?

As well as being a superconductor, niobium is used in one other “super” application – superalloys, formed from precise quantities of many different metals for extreme performance in extreme applications – applications such as jet engine turbines, space rockets, turbo charger systems and combustion equipment, among other high-intensity situations.

Often used in nickel-, cobalt- or iron-based superalloys, niobium provides hardness, resistance to thermal creep and improved melting point (as pure niobium remains solid up to a temperature of 2750°C). The addition of niobium to superalloys also precipitates a hardening phase within the superalloy’s grain structure, improving it immensely and providing a considerable boost to the superalloy’s performance across the board.

Physical Properties of Niobium

Nb is a grayish metallic, incredibly soft metal with atomic number 41.
It has a melting point of 2477°C (4491°F) and a boiling point of 4741°C (8566°F).
The density of Nb is 8.4 grams per cubic centimeter.
Nb has a [Kr]4d45s1 electrical structure, with electrons in the outermost shells. This is unusual for elements in Group 5.
It is recognized as a ferromagnetic element because of its unusual crystalline structure and internal electronic configuration; it becomes magnetic once subjected to an external magnetic field.
Nb is malleable, allowing it to be easily hit into sheets without cleavage, and ductility, which makes it possible to draw thin wires from it.
Nb serves as an excellent electrical conductor. Because electrons in iron are free to move around they are able to carry electrical charge from one end to other.
Nb is an effective thermal conductor as well. Heat causes a metal’s particles to vibrate more rapidly and move around more swiftly. Energy is transferred from one particle to another as they come into contact.
Nb has high corrosion resistance.

Color/physical appearance	Silvery white
Melting point/freezing point	2477°C, 4491°F, 2750 K
Boiling point	4741°C, 8566°F, 5014 K
Density	8.57 g cm-3 at 20°
Malleability	Yes
Ductility	Yes

Certificate

As an ISO9001:2015 certified company, we are equipped with complete production line, from sintering & E-beam smelting to forging, rolling, machining and stringent testing procedures, which enables us to supply our customers with varieties of refractory metal products.

productcate-1-1

FAQ

Q: What is niobium used for?

A: Niobium is used in alloys including stainless steel. It improves the strength of the alloys, particularly at low temperatures. Alloys containing niobium are used in jet engines and rockets, beams and girders for buildings and oil rigs, and oil and gas pipelines. This element also has superconducting properties.

Q: Is niobium good or bad?

A: Niobium and its compounds may be toxic (niobium dust causes eye and skin irritation) , but there are no reports of human being poisoned by it. Apart from measuring its concentration, no research on niobium in humans has been undertaken. Niobium, when inhaled, is retained mainly in the lungs, and secondarily in bones.

Q: Where is niobium found?

A: Niobium primarily occurs in oxide minerals of the pyrochlore group, which are most commonly found in carbonatites and alkaline granite-syenite complexes. Globally, the largest Nb deposits occur in Brazil and Canada.

Q: Is niobium more expensive than silver?

A: Niobium is used in the aerospace industry for improving strength in alloys, and in various industries for its superconducting properties. Niobium is not a precious metal, but is more expensive than silver powder. Brazil has the worlds largest reserves of Niobium.

Q: Why is niobium used in jewelry?

A: Often used in jewelry making because of its hypoallergenic properties, this metal is a safe choice for anyone with metal allergies. Niobium is highly malleable, lightweight, highly resistant to corrosion, and hard. Additionally, when it is heated and anodized, it can result in a vast array of iridescent colors.

Q: Why is niobium valuable?

A: In its pure metal form, niobium is incredibly versatile. It goes into superconducting magnets such as those used to propel trains powered by magnetic levitation (maglev), hospital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, and even the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva.

Q: What are 3 common uses of niobium?

Q: Is niobium safe to touch?

A: This material is not considered hazardous to health or the environment according to the CLP regulation. Niobium powder is flammable. Hazards not otherwise classified: Handling or processing of this material may generate a dust which can cause mechanical irritation of the eyes, skin, nose and throat.

Q: Which is better titanium or niobium?

A: Titanium is long lasting, corrosion resistant and non toxic. Niobium is another inert metal and is softer than titanium. It's added to other metals to give strength however for jewellery its mainly found in its pure form.

Q: Is niobium flammable?

A: Flammable in the form of dust when exposed to sparks or flame. Conditions to Avoid: All sources of ignition. Dusting conditions. Incompatible Materials: Acids, oxidizing agents, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, halocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, carbon tetrafluoride, freon.

Q: Where is niobium mined?

A: Globally, the largest niobium deposits occur in Brazil and Canada. The largest known niobium deposit in the U.S. is at Iron Hill, Colorado, which has been prospected for titanium, niobium, rare earth elements and thorium.

Q: What is unique about niobium?

A: Niobium is a lustrous, ductile metal. It features a high melting point (2,477° C), lower density than similar refractory metals, high corrosion resistance (but lower than tantalum), and good cold working properties.

Q: How do you extract niobium?

A: Liquid–liquid extraction is the most effective way of separating tantalum and niobium, both metals are extracted and separated from acidic leach liquors by using organic extractants such as methyl iso-butyl ketone (MIBK), tri-butyl phosphate (TBP), cyclohexanone and 2-octanol.

Q: Is niobium shiny or dull?

A: Niobium is a shiny, white metal that typically forms a film on its surface when exposed to air, turning shades of blue, green, or yellow, according to Chemicool. It has a wide range of uses from use in hypoallergenic jewelry to jet engines to superconducting magnets.

Q: Does niobium change color?

A: As you can see in the above image, niobium is grey in colour, although it takes on a bluish hue when exposed to air at room temperature for extended periods. This transition metal is soft and ductile and has relatively low density, for a transition metal.

Q: How toxic is niobium?

A: Niobium is considered a rare earth metal. These metals are moderately to highly toxic. The symptoms of toxicity of rare earth elements include writhing, ataxia, labored respiration, walking on toes with arched back and sedation. The rare earth elements exhibit low toxicity by ingestion exposure.

Q: What are 5 uses of niobium?

A: Niobium is used in various superconducting materials. These alloys, also containing titanium and tin, are widely used in the superconducting magnets of MRI scanners. Other applications of niobium include welding, nuclear industries, electronics, optics, numismatics, and jewelry.

Q: Which is better titanium or niobium?

Q: What are 3 common uses of niobium?

Q: Does niobium react with anything?

A: Apart from reacting with oxygen in air at high temperatures, niobium is reactive to carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and halogens. Niobium is non-reactive to acids and moisture at room temperatures but reacts with acids at elevated temperatures. Niobium and its compounds may cause irritation to eyes and skin.

We're professional niobium manufacturers and suppliers in China, specialized in providing high quality customized service. We warmly welcome you to buy niobium for sale here from our factory.

Niobium Tube, Niobium Strip, Niobium Plate

Niobium

Company Profile

Why Choose Us

Niobium Wire

Niobium Strip

Niobium Tube

Niobium Plate

high purity 99.95% polished niobium rod/bar

Types of Niobium

Chemical Properties of Niobium

Steps to Extract and Prepare Pure Niobium Metal

Physical Properties of Niobium

Certificate

FAQ