Hemofilia

The niobium is a chemical element, of symbol Nb and Atomic number 41. It is a Métal of transition gray, rare, soft, and ductile.

Notable characteristics

Niobium is a gray, ductile brilliant metal which takes a bluish color when it is exposed to the Air with room temperature for one long period. The chemical properties of niobium are almost identical to those of the tantalum. Metal starts to oxidize with the air above a temperature of 200 °C. The ore pyrochlore (Ca, Na) Nb₂O₆ (OH, F) provides the major part of produced niobium.

History

The name derives from Niobé, the girl of Tantale. This choice is due to the fact that tantalum discovered before proved thereafter to be a mixture with niobium.

Niobium was discovered in 1801 by Charles Hatchett in the form of Nb₂O₅ oxide. He had baptized it “columbium”. In 1866, niobium (relatively impure) was prepared by Christian Wilhelm Blomstrand then pure niobium by Werner von Bolton in 1907.

The the United States a long time used the name “columbium” (Cb symbol), of the District of Columbia where the mineral was discovered. Although “niobium” is official name, one still finds “columbium” in various publications.

Source

The principal niobium producer country is the Brésil, to 80% of the worldwide production, while one only mine located at Saint-Honore, with the Quebec, Canada, account for 15% of the worldwide production.

Uses

Out of alloy

When one adds niobium to Acier, one increases the resistance and the hardness of metal. For Pipeline S one uses steel niobium, even an alloy of niobium and Zirconium.

superconductive Magnet

One uses steel niobium (60% of niobium) and niobium alloys, Zirconium or tin in superconductive magnets. The superconductive alloy more used is Nb₃Ge having a temperature criticizes 23K (- 250°C).

Filler rod for the welding the arc

One uses niobium alloys, with the Zirconium, the Molybdène, the Vanadium, the Chrome or the Tungstène like filler rods to weld with the arc some stainless steels.

Orthopedy

The body supports a titanium and niobium alloy well which one uses for implants or in the pins and plates of reduction of the fractures.

Nuclear reactors

It is used out of alloy with zirconium for the envelopes of fuel bar because of its weak section of capture neutrons.

Filter S with Wave of surface

Use the Niobiate of lithium.

Jewelry

For its bluish color.

Aerospace

Out of alloy with steel, niobium constitutes a very resistant and very tight metal for the rocket S and the satellite sent in space (Apollo 11 was made to niobium 60%).

Sources

Louis Perron, Niobium, Natural resources Canada

Simple: Niobium

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