Niobium (Niobium, Nb, in the periodic system of chemical elements 41) is a gray-silver transition metal, has a pronounced luster, is covered with an oxide film during oxidation.
The areas of application of this metal are due to its valuable qualities:
• it is resistant to corrosion;
• lends itself well to welding, processing by pressure in the cold;
• contributes to the production of superconducting, heat-resistant alloys;
• refractory (melts at 2468 °С);
• able to absorb and hold gases well.
Due to such features, niobium is in demand in such important industries as:
• Aircraft and rocket building, production of space technology. It is used in the creation of parts and components of jet-powered aircraft.
• Atomic industry. Included in the protective shells of reactors, etc.
• Chemical production. Used in the manufacture of valves, shut-off elements, pipelines and pipes for molten metals and acids; details of various chemical apparatuses; distillers, etc.
• Medical industry. It is used directly in the treatment, as well as in the manufacture of equipment for MRI.
• Used in superconducting elements of modern computers.
• In metallurgy, it is used for alloying non-ferrous metals in order to obtain alloys with higher resistance to alkalis, strength, electrical conductivity, etc.
Niobium is also used for the manufacture of refractories, special types of ceramics and glasses. It is also used at the Large Hadron Collider.
