Nb, Niobium Ore Mineral Analysis

Niobium, also called columbium, is a transition metal with a very high melting point. It is highly demanded in the production of defense equipment in the aviation, energy and transportation sectors in industrialized countries. Niobium is generally used to produce high strength, low alloy steel and stainless steel. Niobium is also used in large diameter pipes produced for low alloy steels, oil and gas pipelines and automobile wheels.

About 70 percent of the produced niobium goes to steel production. Micro alloy steels containing niobium are used in automobiles, bridges, buildings and oil and gas pipelines where power to weight is an important engineering assessment. Low alloy steels containing niobium allow designers to reduce weight and production costs. Niobium is also used in applications where high temperature power is important, for example in cobalt, iron and nickel-based superalloys for jet engine components, rocket subassemblies and combustion equipment.

In nature, niobium coexists with tantalum in igneous carbonate rocks, which are generally carbonate. Niobium is found in the interiors of regions and igneous complexes containing minerals containing thorium, titanium, uranium and rare earth elements.

The most important mineral source of niobium is oxide mineral pyrochlor. In addition, collombite is a mineral source for niobium. It is generally found in granitic rocks.

Niobium is recycled from alloys bearing this element. Micro-alloy containing niobium or stainless steel and super alloy scrap are converted to re-niobium. The leading niobium producing countries are Brazil (90 percent) and Canada (9 percent).

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