Properties of Niobium
With extensive expertise in the properties of niobium and its alloys, Elmet Technologies can assist in utilizing this in-demand metal. Niobium outperforms other materials, drastically reduces downtime, and adds years of service life to process-exposed equipment.
Niobium belongs to the group of refractory metals, known for their unique properties. In its elemental form, it presents as a light gray transition metal. While it shares a high melting point of 2477°C with other refractory metals, what sets niobium apart is its low density. At 8.57 g/cm³, its density is comparable to that of nickel and copper, making it the lightest among refractory metals.
Niobium is a key component of high-temperature nickel-based superalloys because of its high-temperature strength, ductility, heat resistance, and low density. Niobium and its alloys are important in aerospace applications and the manufacturing of superconducting magnets for medical and research applications.
Chemical Resistant Properties
Niobium actively resists chemical attacks, effectively performing in a wide range of harsh oxidizing and reducing environments. Therefore, it offers exceptional resistance to several aggressive conditions, including:
- Most organic acids
- Mineral acids
- Most salts
- Liquid metals
- Some fluoride-contaminated solutions
Physical Properties of Niobium
| Atomic Number | 41 |
| Atomic Weight | 92.91 |
| Density | 8.47 gm/cc (0.31 lb/in2) |
| Melting Point | 2468°C |
| Coefficient of Expansion (20 °C-100 °C) | 7.1×10-6 °C |
| Specific Heat (27 °C) | 0.065 cal/gm/ °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.125 cal/sec-cm-°C |
| Electrical Resistivity (0 °C-100 °C) | 14.5 microhm-cm |
| Crystal Structure | bcc |
Forms and Tolerances
| Form | Thickness, Diameter, Wall inches (mm) | Width, Length Inches (mm) |
| Sheet | 0.005″ to 0.020″ (0.1270 to 0.50 mm) | 36″ max. width x coil (915 mm max. width x coil) |
| Sheet | 0.015″ to 0.060″ (0.380 to 1.524 mm) | 40″ width x coil (1000 mm width x coil) |
| Plate | 0.060″ to 0.125″ (1.524 to 3.175 mm) | Width not to exceed 40″ (1000 mm) Total weight of finished plate not to exceed 350 Ib. |
| Rod | 0.125″ to 0.625″ (3.175 to 15.875 mm dia.) 0.625″ to 3.000″ dia. (15.875 to 76.200 mm dia.) | Coil or straight lengths straight lengths |
| Ingot | > 3″ (76.2 mm) | Depending on weight |
| Welded Tubing | 0.5″ OD x 0.015″ – 0.040″ wall (12.7 mm OD x 0.380 – 1.0 mm wall) 0.75″ OD x 0.015″ – 0.050″ wall (19.05 mm OD x 0.380 – 1.27 mm wall) 1.0 – 4.0″ OD x 0.015″ – 0.100″ wall (25.4 – 102 mm OD x 0.380 – 2.540 mm wall) |
Strategic Niobium Production
Elmet works with reliable Western sources to produce niobium products across our three key production facilities in the USA. These facilities are located in Lewiston, ME; Coldwater, MI; and Euclid, OH.
We boast a production capacity of over 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space with a versatile process flow. We are proud to be deemed centers of excellence with the capability to deliver on a wide range of custom niobium and niobium alloy solutions.
