Applications of Niobium

Some of the most common uses of this element include:

* Steel Production

Niobium is commonly used in the microalloying of HSLA steels for the automotive and petrochemical industries. As little as 0.1% of this metal can considerably enhance the strength and stability of structural steel. Niobium-steel alloys are frequently used in automotive sheet steel and oil and gas pipelines.

* Superalloys

Superalloys are high-performance alloys that exhibit exceptional mechanical strength, thermal creep resistance, surface stability, and corrosion resistance. As much as 6.5% of niobium may be used in nickel, cobalt, and iron-based superalloys. These alloys are especially useful in the aerospace industry for the production of jet engine components, which can experience temperatures exceeding 1832°F (1000°C).

* Superconducting Magnets

When cooled to below niobium’s transition temperature, its resistance becomes negligible. Specific niobium alloys are used as type II superconductor wires for superconducting magnets. These magnets are critical components of magnetic resonance imaging equipment that is used in the medical industry.