Niobium Applications

Applications areas of Niobium expand. The metal is an alloying element to fortify high strength; it has a low capture cross-section for thermal neutrons, niobium alloys temperature- and corrosion resistant, gettering and superconducting properties as well as electron work function, good cold pressure shaping and weldability determined its applications in rocket, missile, aviation and space-system engineering, (radio)electronics, chemical instrumentation technology, and nuclear power supply. Pure niobium and its alloys are used in aviation manufacture, production of nuclear reactor fuel elements, pipline and capacities construction for liquid metals, electrical capacitors parts, anodes, cathodes and other equipment for radars, powerful electronics, and corrosion-resistant chemical apparatus. Niobium is used for uranium doping, cryotron manufacturing. Nb₃Sn stannide and Ti/Zr alloys are used in superconductive solenoids materials. Niobium is a good Tantalum substitute since it is cheaper and lighter. Niobium has a number of uses: it is a component of some stainless steels and an alloy of other nonferrous metals. It is also a very important alloy addition in HSLA steels, which are widely used as structural components in modern automobiles. HSLA Ferro-niobium (~60%Nb).