About niobium
Niobium is mainly used as an alloying element in steels to improve the strength of smaller, lighter components – particularly in the transport sector - where better fuel efficiencies and lower carbon dioxide emissions result.
Product information: niobium
Ferro-niobium will be produced and supplied as crushed ingots at a basic composition of 65%Nb, with two or three different specifications around natural alloying impurities produced to meet market demand.
Make a product enquiryUses for niobium
Infrastructure
Power stations rely on niobium stainless steel turbine blades, which offer strength and corrosion resistance at extreme temperatures and pressures. For the same reason, pipelines for water, gas, oil and chemicals are often made from niobium stainless steels.
More InfoSuperconductors
Superconductors containing niobium are used in a variety of applications – including Maglev trains, which travel at speeds of up to 430kph along a magnetic guideway, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for scanning medical patients.
More InfoTransport
High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels containing niobium offer high strength to weight ratios in vehicles, helping to reduce overall weight and improve fuel efficiencies and reduce emissions. Just 300g of niobium reduces the amount of steel used in a mid-sized car by 200kg and improves fuel efficiency by one litre per 200km driven.
More InfoAerospace
Niobium alloys are being used in aerospace rocket engine nozzles (with hafnium), jet engines and the newest generation of helicopters to improve strength to weight ratio, particularly at extreme temperatures and pressures.
More InfoClean energy
Steels containing niobium are used to connect solid oxide fuel cells as they offer a combination of good formability and high electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance and mechanical strength at high temperatures.
More InfoConstruction
Niobium hardens steels for greater strength at lower weight and cost for building infrastructure.
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