Niobium is a chemical element with 41 serial numbers. It was first discovered at the beginning of the XIX century, but its recognition was postponed for 150 years. Only in 1950, by the decision of the International Union of Applied and Theoretical Chemistry, an atom was allocated its own cell in the periodic system of Mendeleev.
In order to use the useful qualities of the element in industry, a niobium strip is made from it. In itself, it does not have anything unique. Its full potential is revealed when creating alloys, solutions, and other compounds.
Niobium mining
Enrichment of niobium ores is a very complex and costly process. All because its content in one ton of rock does not exceed 24 grams. In addition, it is very difficult to distinguish an element from tantalum due to similar chemical properties.
Under natural conditions it is found only in dispersed form - in igneous rocks and crystals, as well as in the composition of some minerals - pyrochlore, loparite, columbite-tantalite. This element of the periodic system is obtained mainly from the compounds presented. Niobium production consists of three stages:
- Dissection of rocks with a high content of niobium substances.
- Separation of niobium from tantalum, obtaining their pure compounds.
- Recovery and purification of metal and its alloys from impurities.
The production cycle is based on high-temperature thermal processes using aluminum, sodium or carbon. Directly niobium strips are obtained by pressing the powder, sintering the powder “cubes” in vacuum, and also by electric beam arc melting.
Beneficial features
Due to its outstanding characteristics, niobium is used in many industries. To facilitate the process of introducing an element into the formula of the basic composition, various rolling products, including a niobium strip, are manufactured. The main active ingredient in this case is niobium carbide, which has a beneficial effect on the mechanical properties of materials.
To alloy one ton of steel, only 200 grams of niobium is needed. The resulting alloy is characterized by high hardness and ductility, low brittleness, and better corrosion resistance. The element is also used for protective non-ferrous metals, in particular aluminum, from alkalis and acids.
Application of niobium
The niobium strip is most often used as an alloying additive in the creation of alloys from both non-ferrous and ferrous metals. The main areas of application of niobium are rocket science, radio and electronic equipment, chemical engineering, aviation and space engineering.
The use of metallic, or pure, niobium is due to a number of its beneficial properties. Among them, refractoriness, corrosion resistance, and the ability to increase the heat resistance of materials and their conductivity stand out.
A unique quality possessed by the niobium band is almost zero interaction with uranium isotopes at temperatures up to 1100 degrees Celsius. Moreover, an atom has low artificial radioactivity. All this allows it to be used to protect nuclear reactors, as well as containers for storing spent radioactive fuel.
Niobium Products
From niobium metal products are created mainly to meet the needs of the nuclear industry. Here, shells for uranium and plutonium heat-releasing elements, containers for storing liquid metals, and radioactive waste are obtained from it.
Niobium products are used to create heavy-duty computing. With it, they reduce the resistance of conductors, thereby obtaining cryotrons - superconducting computer elements. In Austria, an alloy of silver and niobium was used to mint collectible coins.