Properties of Niobium

The unique properties of niobium make it valuable for many different applications in a wide range of industries. Alloying or plating niobium with other metals can significantly enhance many of these properties.

Niobium is a very versatile metal because you can make it strong and flexible in many different ways. In its pure form, it is soft and ductile. It has a Mohs hardness of six.

Like other refractory metals, niobium retains its strength and hardness at very high temperatures. Its melting point is 2,477 degrees Celsius or 4,490 degrees Fahrenheit. Its boiling point is 4,744 degrees Celsius or 8,571 degrees Fahrenheit.

Niobium has a lower density and thermal neutron cross section than the rest of the refractory metals. Its density at 20 degrees Celsius is 8.57 grams per cubic centimeter.

Niobium is a conductor of electricity. Its conductivity is 6.7 x 10 6 Siemens per meter. At low temperatures, it has superconducting properties.

To improve the refractory properties of niobium without adding weight, you can alloy it with various other metals such as nickel, iron and cobalt. Niobium alloys are usually very strong.

Niobium has excellent corrosion resistance but tends to oxidize rapidly at temperatures around 400 degrees Celsius or 750 degrees Fahrenheit. The oxide film makes it so resistant to corrosion. Plating it with other metals can help increase its resistance to oxidation. It also reacts with carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and halogens.

At room temperature, it is inert to acids, even aqua regia, and it is strong enough to dissolve gold and platinum. However, it can be attacked by hot concentrated acids, especially bases and oxidizers.