Niobium and niobium alloy have good corrosion resistance to molten alkali metal, small thermal neutron absorption cross section of atoms (1.1 target En), good compatibility to nuclear fuel, and can be used as atomic energy reactor materials. Niobium titanium alloys (such as Nb-50Ti) and Nb3Sn compounds have excellent superconducting properties and are practical superconducting materials. Some alloys of niobium-titanium series and niobium-zirconium series have good constant elasticity, no ferromagnetism, corrosion resistance and other comprehensive properties, and can be made of elastic components for special purposes. Niobium and some niobium alloys have excellent corrosion resistance in most chemical media, the cost is cheaper than tantalum, and can be used as corrosion resistant parts in chemical, textile and other departments.
Niobium forms infinite solid solutions with tungsten, molybdenum and tantalum, forms finite solid solutions with titanium, zirconium and hafnium, forms intermetallic compounds with aluminum, tin and nickel, and forms compounds with high hardness and melting point with carbon, nitrogen and silicon. The alloying of niobium is mainly to improve the strength of niobium by solid solution strengthening formed by alternative elements and by strengthening the dispersion phase formed by compound elements, while maintaining the good plasticity of pure niobium.
Two types of niobium alloys with excellent oxidation resistance and high strength are mainly developed. Later, we began to develop medium strength niobium alloys with good processing and welding properties, and strengthened the research of anti-oxidation protective coatings on niobium alloys. In 1958, China began to study the production process of niobium, and began the industrial production of niobium in 1963, and has produced a variety of grades of niobium alloys such as low strength and medium strength.
