Not all elements of the periodic table received their own cells immediately after opening. For example, niobium. Discovered it in 1800, but recognized after 150 years. In industry, niobium foil has occupied a certain niche and has strengthened in it, since it has useful characteristics. Its potential is revealed when used as a raw material for the creation of alloys, solutions and chemical mixtures.
Niobium mining
1 ton of ore contains only 24 g of pure element. Therefore, the enrichment of raw materials is considered a costly and complex process. The main deposits of niobium are in Canada, Brazil, Australia and several African countries.
Under natural conditions, the element is found in a scattered form. Basically, niobium "lives" in igneous rock and various crystals. Some minerals contain a small percentage of the element: pyrochlore, tantalite, loparite.
Niobium foil is in great demand. The production of the main element is divided into 3 stages:
- ore detection with a high percentage of niobium and its components;
- separation of the desired element and tantalum, with which they have similar properties;
- purification of metal and alloys from impurities and their recovery.
The main components of production are:
- aluminum;
- sodium;
- carbon;
- heat.
Specifications
Many industrial sectors adopt this metal. Rolled products, including niobium foil, facilitate the process of introducing the main chemical element into the base compounds. Throughout the process, niobium carbide is used, which can change the properties of metals and positively affect their characteristics.
The advantages of this substance are called:
- infusibility;
- resistance to corrosion;
- improving the heat resistance of substances and their conductive ability.
Alloying 1 ton of steel requires only 200 g of active ingredient. Niobium foil during processing improves the characteristics of the finished product. Such steel is distinguished by:
- increased hardness;
- plastic;
- improved corrosion resistance;
- reduced fragility.
Niobium is able to protect non-ferrous metals from the negative effects of acids and alkalis. When creating various devices and structures, this metal is used, due to its protective properties.
Use of metal and manufactured products
Niobium foil is usually used in alloying non-ferrous and ferrous metals.
The main industries where the specified chemical element is used:
- space technology;
- aircraft engineering;
- electronics and radio engineering;
- chemical engineering.
The uniqueness of the niobium band lies in the absence of interaction of the substance with uranium at a temperature of less than 1000 ° C.
Positive characteristics allow the use of niobium to protect a nuclear reactor. The element also lowers the resistance of the conductor to produce cryotrons.
Therefore, the main "employee" of the nuclear industry is niobium foil. Its use allows you to create containers for liquid and radioactive metals.