1, high temperature alloy
A large proportion of niobium in the world is used in the production of nickel, chromium and iron based superalloys in the form of pure metal or high-purity iron and nickel niobium alloys. These alloys are used in jet engines, gas turbine engines, rocket assemblies, turbochargers and heat-resistant combustion equipment. Niobium forms γ phase in the grain structure of superalloy.
2, niobium base alloy
C-103 is a niobium alloy that contains 89 percent niobium, 10 percent hafnium and 1 percent titanium and is used in liquid rocket propellant nozzies, such as the main engine of the Apollo lunar module. The Apollo service module used a different type of niobium alloy. Since niobium begins to oxidize above 400°C, it must be coated with a protective coating to prevent it from becoming fragile.
3, steel application
Among all kinds of microalloying elements in steel, waste niobium is the most effective microalloying element. The effect of niobium is so great that iron atoms are rich in niobium atoms, which can achieve the purpose of improving the performance of steel. In fact, the addition of 0.001% to 0.1% niobium in steel is enough to change the mechanical properties of steel.
4, electrical porcelain
Lithium niobate is an electroferroic substance and has a wide range of applications in mobile phones and light modulators as well as in the manufacture of surface acoustic wave equipment. Its crystal structure is of type ABO3, the same as lithium tantalate and barium titanate. Niobium can replace tantalum in tantalum capacitors and reduce the cost, but tantalum capacitors are still superior.
Niobium behaves as a superconductor at low temperatures. At standard atmospheric pressure, it has a critical temperature of 9.2K, the highest of all elemental superconductors. It also has the highest magnetic penetration of any element. Niobium is one of three elematous class II superconductors, the other two being vanadium and technetium. The purity of niobium will greatly affect its superconducting properties.
The metal niobium can be prepared by electrolytic melting of potassium heptafluorobniobate, or by reducing potassium heptafluorobniobate with sodium metal or niobium pentoxide with aluminum metal. Pure niobium is used in vacuum tube to remove residual gas. Addition of niobium in steel can enhance the oxidation resistance of steel at high temperature and improve the welding property of steel. Niobium is also used in the manufacture of high temperature cermets.
