Niobium was discovered by the English chemist Charles Hatchett in 1801 when he analyzed a sample of columbite and detected an unknown element, which he named columbium.
The element was rediscovered and further investigated by the German chemist Heinrich Rose in 1844, who named it niobium after Niobe from Greek mythology.
For many years, there was confusion between niobium and tantalum, due to their similar properties and the fact that they often occur together in mineral deposits. The name “niobium” was adopted by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in 1950, although the name “columbium” is still used in the United States metals industry.
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- Symbol: Nb
- Atomic Number: 41
- Atomic Weight: 92.90637
- Element Classification: Transition Metal
- Discovered By: Charles Hatchett
- Discovery Date: 1801
- Name Origin: Named after Niobe, the daughter of Tantalus, in Greek mythology, because of its similarity to tantalum
- Density(g/cc): 8.57
- Melting Point: 2477°C
- Boiling Point: 4744°C
- Appearance: Gray metallic, lustrous
- Atomic Radius(pm): 198
Relation to Other Elements
Niobium is a transition metal, located in group 5 of the periodic table, along with vanadium and tantalum, with which it shares many chemical and physical properties. Niobium is distinguished by its high melting point, resistance to chemical attack, and ability to form superconducting compounds. It is less dense than tantalum and more abundant in the Earth’s crust. Niobium’s unique properties stem from its incomplete d-orbital, which allows it to form a variety of complex compounds and alloys.
Natural Occurrence
Niobium is not found free in nature but is present in various minerals, primarily niobite (columbite) and pyrochlore. The largest deposits of niobium are found in Brazil and Canada. The extraction of niobium involves separating it from tantalum and other elements with which it is commonly found.
Uses
Niobium has several important industrial and technological applications:
- Steel Production: The primary use of niobium is as an alloying element in steel and stainless steel to improve strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion, especially at low temperatures. Even a small amount of niobium can significantly enhance the properties of steel.
- Superconductors: Niobium is used to make superconducting materials, particularly niobium-titanium and niobium-tin alloys, which are essential components in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines and particle accelerators.
- Aerospace: Its high melting point and strength at elevated temperatures make niobium and its alloys suitable for aerospace applications, including rocket engines and spacecraft components.
- Electronics: Niobium capacitors are used in electronic circuits due to their stability and reliability.
- Optics: Niobium oxides are used in the production of special glasses with high refractive indices for lenses and optical glasses.
The discovery and utilization of niobium have significantly impacted materials science, particularly in the development of high-strength low-alloy steels and superconducting materials, showcasing the critical role of transition metals in advancing technology and engineering.