Niobium

Niobium

Symbol	Nb
Atomic Number	41
Atomic Mass	92.906 g.mol -1
Discovered by	Charles Hatchett in 1801

Chemical Properties of Niobium

What is Niobium?

• Niobium is a chemical element with atomic number 41 and is represented with the symbol Nb in the Periodic Table.
• It is a soft, ductile transition metal which is resistant to corrosion due to the presence of an oxide layer on its surface.
• It is one of the most common elements found in the Earth’s Crust. It is often found in the pyrochlore mineral.

Uses of Niobium

• It is used in stainless steel alloys for cutting tools, nuclear reactors, jets, missiles, and welding rods.
• It is used in the manufacturing of MRI scanners and NMR equipment.
• Its alloys are used in making surgical implants.
• It is used for the production of stainless steel and high-temperature resistant alloys.

Properties of Niobium

• At cryogenic temperatures, Niobium becomes a superconductor.
• Niobium and its compounds are toxic to some extent.
• When exposed to air at room temperature, metal takes on a bluish tinge for extended periods.
• Niobium comprises one stable isotope in the Earth’s crust.

Certain Facts About Niobium

• In the united states, the element was called columbium (symbol Cb) for about 100 years, while it was called niobium in Europe.
• There are around 18 known isotopes of niobium.