High-temperature Alloys

A large part of the world's niobium is used to produce nickel-, chromium- and iron-based high-temperature alloys, either in pure metal form or as high-purity ferro-niobium and niobium-nickel alloys. These alloys are used in jet engines, gas turbine engines, rocket components, turbochargers and heat-resistant combustion equipment. Niobium forms a gamma phase state in the grain structure of high temperature alloys. These alloys generally contain up to 6.5% niobium. Inconel 718 is one of the niobium-containing nickel-based alloys, with elemental contents of 50% nickel, 18.6% chromium, 18.5% iron, 5% niobium, 3.1% molybdenum, 0.9% titanium and 0.4% aluminum. Applications include high-end airframe materials, such as those used in the Gemini program.