Metal Powder

Niobium micropowder is a rare, soft, ductile, malleable, gray-white metal. It has a body-centered cubic crystalline structure. Its physical and chemical properties resemble tantalum. It must be placed in a protective atmosphere when processed at even moderate temperatures due to it tends to react with oxygen, carbon, halogens, nitrogen, and sulfur.

Niobium micropowder is utilized for the manufacturing of high-temperature-resistant alloys and special stainless steel. Small amounts of niobium make greater strength to other metals, especially those that are exposed to low temperatures. Niobium carbide is utilized in cutting tools. It is also employed in stainless steel alloys for nuclear reactors, jets, missiles, pipelines, super magnets, cutting tools, and welding rods.

Niobium-tin and niobium-titanium alloys are applied as wires for superconducting magnets capable of producing exceedingly strong magnetic fields. Niobium is also utilized its pure form to make superconducting accelerating structures for particle accelerators. Mainly Niobium alloys are utilized in surgical implants because they do not react with human tissue.

Niobium has different applications, for instance, it is applied in the production of high-grade structural steel. The niobium is widely used in the nickel-based super alloys. Niobium oxide compounds are employed to increase the refractive index of glasses which allows corrective glasses to be made with thinner lenses.

The Niobium micropowder is inert to acids, even to aqua regia at room temperatures, however, it is attacked by hot, concentrated acids, and especially by alkalis and oxidizing agents. This metal is employed in this kind of jewelry owing to it does not cause allergies or other problems. Niobium alloys are also used in the manufacturing of superconducting magnets.