GENERAL PROPERTIES
SYMBOL: Nb
NUMBER: 41
ELEMENT CATEGORY: Transition Metals
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHASE: Solid
STD ATOMIC WEIGHT: 92.90638(2) g-mol-1
MELTING TEMPERATURE: 2750 K, 2477° C, 4491° F
BOILING POINT: 5017 K, 4744° C, 8571° F
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE: Body Centered Cubic
ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY: (0 °C) 152 nΩ·m
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY: (300 K) 53.7 W·m−1·K−1
THERMAL EXPANSION: 7.3 µm/(m·K)
KEY FACTS
Discovered in 1801 by Charles Hatchett, an English chemist
Closely related to tantalum
Lowest melting point, density, and strength of the refractory metals
Excellent cold working properties
Limited corrosion resistance when compared to tantalum
MAJOR APPLICATIONS
Superconductor wires for MRI applications
Alloying agents in certain steels
Chemical process equipment such as heat exchangers
Fabrication of artificial diamonds
COMMON ALLOYS
Niobium
Niobium 1% Zirconium
Niobium 7.5% Tantalum
Niobium 47% Titanium
Niobium 50% Titanium
Niobium 55% Titanium