Introduction
Niobium is a soft, stretchable transition metal whose oxide, niobium pentoxide, behaves like aluminium oxide and zinc oxide to form a protective layer that prevents corrosion.
When added to stainless steel, niobium enhances resistance to fracture at high temperatures, reduces overheating sensitivity and temper brittleness, and improves strength, toughness, and high-temperature creep performance.
Niobium plate has a small thermal neutron absorption cross section, excellent corrosion resistance, and high strength at elevated temperatures, making it ideal for nuclear reactor structural materials, nuclear fuel cladding, and nuclear fuel additives.
Additionally, niobium exhibits a high superconducting transition temperature, and its compounds and alloys are key materials in the superconducting industry.
| Type | Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Length (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foil | 0.03–0.09 | 30–150 | <2000 |
| Sheet | 0.1–0.5 | 30–600 | 30–2000 |
| Plate | 0.5–10 | 50–1000 | 50–2000 |
| Grade | Main Component | Other Impurities (≤ %) |
|---|---|---|
| Nb | Fe | |
| Nb1 | Remainder | 0.004 |
| Nb2 | Remainder | 0.01 |
Chemical Industry: corrosion-resistant equipment and electroplating components
Aerospace & Aviation: high-temperature structural parts
Nuclear Energy: reactor internal structures and fuel cladding materials
Electronics & Superconductivity: superconducting magnets, thin film deposition
Medical Field: biocompatible components and medical devices
Jewellery & Consumer Products: decorative applications and high-purity materials
Niobium has excellent corrosion resistance and can be cold worked easily through punching, cutting, deep drawing, or stamping.
It performs reliably under high-temperature and corrosive conditions, making it ideal for demanding industrial and scientific applications.