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About Niobium
Niobium is a soft, grey, ductile transition metal, often found in the minerals pyrochlore (the main commercial source for niobium) and columbite. As the lightest of the refractory metals (a group of metallic elements that exhibit extremely high melt points and heat resistance), niobium is a highly sought-after material with applications in aerospace, electronics, nuclear power and defense. In this article, we explore the properties that set niobium apart from the other refractory metals, as well as its current applications and potential for use in future technologies.
Niobium consumption is dominated by its use as additive to high strength low alloy steel and stainless steel for oil and gas pipelines, car and truck bodies, architectural requirements, tool steels, ships hulls, railroad tracks. However, there are a number of other applications for niobium metal and its compounds. Although niobium has many applications the majority is used in the production of high-grade structural steel. The second largest application for niobium is in nickel-based superalloys. Niobium-tin alloys are used as superconducting magnets.Niobium Specifications
Standards Description ASTM B392 This specification covers 4 grades of wrought niobium and niobium alloy bar, rod, and wire. ASTM B393 This specification covers 5 grades of wrought niobium and niobium alloy strip, sheet, and plate. ASTM B394 This specification covers wrought niobium and niobium alloy seamless and welded tubes. ASTM B655 This specification covers hafnium alloyed niobium(R04295) bar and wire. Niobium Grades
Grade Chemical Component %, max C O N H Fe Mo Zr Ni Si Ti Hf Ta Nb R04200 0.01 0.015 0.01 0.0015 0.025 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.005 0.02 0.02 0.1 remaining R04210 0.01 0.025 0.01 0.0015 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.005 0.03 0.02 0.3 remaining R04251 0.01 0.015 0.01 0.0015 0.005 0 0.8-1.2 0.01 0.005 0.02 0.02 0.1 remaining R04261 0.01 0.015 0.01 0.0015 0.01 0.05 0.8-1.2 0.01 0.005 0.03 0.02 0.5 remaining Grade Mechanical Properties Condition UTS, PSI(Mpa) min. YS, PSI(Mpa) min. EL(%) min. R04200 Annealed 18000(125) 10500(73) 25 R04210 Annealed 18000(125) 8500(59) 25 R04251 Annealed 28000(195) 18000(125) 20 R04261 Annealed 28000(195) 18000(125) 20
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