Editing Niobium (section)

==Applications==
[[File:Niobium metal.jpg|thumb|A niobium foil|alt=Three pieces of metallic foil with yellow taint]]

Out of 44,500 tonnes of niobium mined in 2006, an estimated 90% was used in high-grade structural steel. The second-largest application is [[superalloy]]s.<ref name="USGS2006">{{cite web|url = http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/niobium/myb1-2006-niobi.pdf|title = Niobium (Columbium ) and Tantalum|first = John F.|last = Papp|publisher = USGS 2006 Minerals Yearbook|access-date = 3 September 2008|archive-date = 22 November 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171122144051/https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/niobium/myb1-2006-niobi.pdf|url-status = live}}</ref> Niobium alloy superconductors and electronic components account for a very small share of the world production.<ref name="USGS2006" />

===Steel production===
Niobium is an effective [[Microalloyed steel|microalloying]] element for steel, within which it forms [[niobium carbide]] and [[niobium nitride]].<ref name="patel" /> These compounds improve the [[grain refining]], and retard recrystallization and [[precipitation hardening]]. These effects in turn increase the [[toughness]], [[Strength of materials|strength]], [[formability]], and [[weldability]].<ref name="patel" /> Within microalloyed [[stainless steel]]s, the niobium content is a small (less than 0.1%)<ref name="heister">{{cite book|title = Niobium: Future Possibilities – Technology and the Market Place|first = Friedrich|last = Heisterkamp|author2 = Carneiro, Tadeu|url = https://www.cbmm.com/portug/sources/techlib/science_techno/table_content/images/pdfs/closing.pdf |date = 2001| publisher=Niobium 2001 Limited |isbn = 978-0-9712068-0-9|editor = Minerals, Metals and Materials Society |url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081217100604/http://www.cbmm.com.br/portug/sources/techlib/science_techno/table_content/images/pdfs/closing.pdf|archive-date = 17 December 2008|df = dmy-all}}</ref> but important addition to [[high-strength low-alloy steel]]s that are widely used structurally in modern automobiles.<ref name="patel">{{cite journal|journal =Metallurgist|volume = 45|issue = 11–12|doi = 10.1023/A:1014897029026|pages = 477–480|date = 2001|title = Niobium for Steelmaking |first = Zh.|last = Patel|author2=Khul'ka K.|s2cid = 137569464}}</ref> Niobium is sometimes used in considerably higher quantities for highly [[Wear|wear-resistant]] machine components and knives, as high as 3% in Crucible CPM S110V stainless steel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Datasheet CPM S110V|url=http://www.crucible.com/PDFs/DataSheets2010/Datasheet%20CPM%20S110Vv12010.pdf|publisher=Crucible Industries LLC|access-date=20 November 2017|archive-date=29 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329130822/http://www.crucible.com/PDFs/DataSheets2010/Datasheet%20CPM%20S110Vv12010.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

These same niobium alloys are often used in pipeline construction.<ref name="eggert">{{cite journal|journal = Economic Bulletin|volume = 19|issue = 9|doi = 10.1007/BF02227064|pages = 8–11|date = 1982|title = Niobium: a steel additive with a future|author=Eggert, Peter|author2=Priem, Joachim|author3=Wettig, Eberhard|s2cid = 153775645}}</ref><ref name="Hillenbrand">{{cite journal|url=http://www.europipe.com/files/ep_tp_43_01en.pdf |title=Development and Production of High Strength Pipeline Steels |author=Hillenbrand, Hans-Georg |author2=Gräf, Michael |author3=Kalwa, Christoph |journal=Niobium Science & Technology: Proceedings of the International Symposium Niobium 2001 (Orlando, Florida, USA) |date=2 May 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605054604/http://www.europipe.com/files/ep_tp_43_01en.pdf |archive-date=5 June 2015 }}</ref>

===Superalloys===

Quantities of niobium are used in nickel-, [[cobalt]]-, and [[iron]]-based [[superalloy]]s in proportions as great as 6.5%<ref name="heister" /> for such applications as [[jet engine]] components, [[gas turbine]]s, rocket subassemblies, [[Turbocharger|turbo charger]] systems, heat resisting, and combustion equipment. Niobium precipitates a hardening γ<nowiki>''</nowiki>-phase within the grain structure of the superalloy.<ref name="Donachie">{{cite book|publisher = ASM International|date = 2002|isbn = 978-0-87170-749-9|title = Superalloys: A Technical Guide|url = https://archive.org/details/superalloystechn00dona|url-access = limited|first = Matthew J.|last = Donachie|pages = [https://archive.org/details/superalloystechn00dona/page/n36 29]–30}}</ref>

One example superalloy is [[inconel|Inconel 718]], consisting of roughly 50% [[nickel]], 18.6% [[chromium]], 18.5% [[iron]], 5% niobium, 3.1% [[molybdenum]], 0.9% [[titanium]], and 0.4% [[aluminium]].<ref name="super">{{cite web|url = http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/phase-trans/2003/Superalloys/superalloys.html|title = Nickel Based Superalloys|first = H. k. d. h|last = Bhadeshia|publisher = University of Cambridge|access-date = 4 September 2008|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060825053006/http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/phase-trans/2003/Superalloys/superalloys.html|archive-date = 25 August 2006|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal = Thermochimica Acta|volume = 382|date = 2002|pages= 55–267|doi = 10.1016/S0040-6031(01)00751-1|title = Thermophysikalische Eigenschaften von festem und flüssigem Inconel 718|language=de|author=Pottlacher, G.|author2=Hosaeus, H.|author3=Wilthan, B.|author4=Kaschnitz, E.|author5=Seifter, A.|issue = 1––2| bibcode=2002TcAc..382..255P }}</ref> 

These superalloys were used, for example, in advanced air frame systems for the [[Gemini program]]. Another niobium alloy{{clarify|date=November 2023}} was used for the nozzle of the [[Apollo service module|Apollo Service Module]]. Because niobium is oxidized at temperatures above 400&nbsp;°C, a protective coating is necessary for these applications to prevent the alloy from becoming [[Brittleness|brittle]].<ref name="hightemp" />

===Niobium-based alloys===
{{Main article|Niobium alloy}}
[[File:Apollo CSM lunar orbit.jpg|thumb|Apollo 15 CSM in lunar orbit; dark nozzle of the [[Apollo command and service module#Service propulsion system|service propulsion system]] is made from niobium–titanium alloy |alt=Image of the Apollo Service Module with the moon in the background]]
'''C-103''' alloy was developed in the early 1960s jointly by the [[Wah Chang Corporation]] and [[Boeing]] Co. [[DuPont]], [[Union Carbide]] Corp., [[General Electric]] Co. and several other companies were developing [[Niobium alloy|Nb-base alloys]] simultaneously, largely driven by the [[Cold War]] and [[Space Race]]. It is composed of 89% niobium, 10% [[hafnium]] and 1% titanium and is used for [[liquid-propellant rocket|liquid-rocket]] [[Thrusters (spacecraft)|thruster]] [[nozzle]]s, such as the [[descent propulsion system|descent engine]] of the [[Apollo Lunar Module]]s.<ref name="hightemp">{{cite journal|url=https://www.cbmm.com/portug/sources/techlib/science_techno/table_content/sub_3/images/pdfs/016.pdf |title=Niobium alloys and high Temperature Applications |first=John |last=Hebda |journal=Niobium Science & Technology: Proceedings of the International Symposium Niobium 2001 (Orlando, Florida, USA) |date=2 May 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217080513/http://www.cbmm.com.br/portug/sources/techlib/science_techno/table_content/sub_3/images/pdfs/016.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2008 }}</ref>

The [[Reactivity (chemistry)|reactivity]] of niobium with [[oxygen]] requires it to be worked in a [[Outgassing|vacuum]] or [[Inert gas|inert atmosphere]], which significantly increases the cost and difficulty of production. [[Vacuum arc remelting]] (VAR) and [[electron beam melting]] (EBM), novel processes at the time, enabled the development of niobium and other reactive metals. The project that yielded C-103 began in 1959 with as many as 256 experimental niobium alloys in the "C-series" (<u>C</u> arising possibly from <u>c</u>olumbium) that could be melted as buttons and rolled into [[Sheet metal|sheet]]. [[Wah Chang Corporation]] had an inventory of [[hafnium]], refined from nuclear-grade [[zirconium alloy]]s, that it wanted to put to commercial use. The 103rd experimental composition of the C-series alloys, Nb-10Hf-1Ti, had the best combination of formability and high-temperature properties. Wah Chang fabricated the first 500 lb heat of C-103 in 1961, ingot to sheet, using EBM and VAR. The intended applications included [[Gas turbine|turbine engine]]s and liquid metal [[heat exchanger]]s. Competing niobium alloys from that era included FS85 (Nb-10W-28Ta-1Zr) from [[Fansteel|Fansteel Metallurgical Corp]]., Cb129Y (Nb-10W-10Hf-0.2Y) from Wah Chang and [[Boeing]], Cb752 (Nb-10W-2.5Zr) from Union Carbide, and Nb1Zr from Superior Tube Co.<ref name="hightemp" />

[[File:Merlin nozzle 4105129088 9659a4df4e o.jpg|thumb|[[SpaceX Merlin#Merlin Vacuum (1C)|Merlin Vacuum]] nozzle made from a niobium alloy]]

The nozzle of the [[Merlin (rocket engine family)#Merlin Vacuum (1C)|Merlin Vacuum]] series of engines developed by [[SpaceX]] for the upper stage of its [[Falcon 9]] rocket is made from a C-103 niobium alloy.<ref name="NSPO">{{cite conference |title=Low-cost Launch Opportunities Provided by the Falcon Family of Launch Vehicles |first1=Aaron |last1=Dinardi |first2=Peter |last2=Capozzoli |first3=Gwynne |last3=Shotwell |conference=Fourth Asian Space Conference |year=2008 |location=Taipei |url=http://www2.nspo.org.tw/ASC2008/4th%20Asian%20Space%20Conference%202008/oral/S12-11.pdf|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315135217/http://www2.nspo.org.tw/ASC2008/4th%20Asian%20Space%20Conference%202008/oral/S12-11.pdf |archive-date=15 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackiewicz |first=Karolina |date=2021-07-21 |title='To boldly go where no man has gone before…', the alloy that has made space travel possible. |url=https://www.lipmann.co.uk/post/to-boldly-go-where-no-man-has-gone-before-the-alloy-that-has-made-space-travel-possible |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Lipmann Walton & Co |language=en}}</ref>

Niobium-based superalloys are used to produce components to [[Hypersonic weapon|hypersonic missile]] systems.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Torres |first1=Guido L. |last2=López |first2=Laura Delgado |last3=Berg |first3=Ryan C. |last4=Ziemer |first4=Henry |date=2024-03-04 |title=Hypersonic Hegemony: Niobium and the Western Hemisphere's Role in the U.S.-China Power Struggle |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/hypersonic-hegemony-niobium-and-western-hemispheres-role-us-china-power-struggle |language=en |website=CSIS |access-date=Oct 15, 2024}}</ref>

===Superconducting magnets===
[[File:Modern 3T MRI.JPG|right|thumb|A 3-[[Tesla (unit)|tesla]] clinical [[MRI|magnetic resonance imaging]] scanner using niobium superconducting alloy|alt=Room-high yellow-grey medical machine with a man-size hole in the middle and a stretcher directly in front of it]]

[[Niobium-germanium]] ({{chem|Nb|3|Ge}}), [[niobium–tin]] ({{chem|Nb|3|Sn}}), as well as the [[niobium–titanium]] [[alloy]]s are used as a [[type II superconductor]] wire for [[superconducting magnet]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|doi = 10.1109/77.828394|title = Powder-in-tube (PIT) Nb/sub 3/Sn conductors for high-field magnets|date = 2000|author = Lindenhovius, J.L.H.|journal = IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity|volume = 10|issue = 1|pages = 975–978|display-authors = 4|last2 = Hornsveld|first2 = E. M.|last3 = Den Ouden|first3 = A.|last4 = Wessel|first4 = W. A. J.|last5 = Ten Kate|first5 = H. H. J.|bibcode = 2000ITAS...10..975L|s2cid = 26260700|url = https://ris.utwente.nl/ws/files/176419956/00828394.pdf|archive-date = 17 September 2023|access-date = 29 August 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230917220838/https://ris.utwente.nl/ws/files/176419956/00828394.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/solids/scmag.html|title = Superconducting Magnets|first = Carl R.|last = Nave|publisher = Georgia State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy|access-date = 25 November 2008|archive-date = 5 December 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081205013800/http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/scmag.html|url-status = live}}</ref> These superconducting magnets are used in [[magnetic resonance imaging]] and [[nuclear magnetic resonance]] instruments as well as in [[particle accelerator]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|journal = Physica C: Superconductivity|volume= 372–376|issue = 3|date = 2002|pages = 1315–1320|doi = 10.1016/S0921-4534(02)01018-3|title = Niobium based intermetallics as a source of high-current/high magnetic field superconductors|first=B. A.|last = Glowacki|author2=Yan, X. -Y. |author3=Fray, D. |author4=Chen, G. |author5=Majoros, M. |author6= Shi, Y. |arxiv = cond-mat/0109088 |bibcode = 2002PhyC..372.1315G |s2cid= 118990555}}</ref> For example, the [[Large Hadron Collider]] uses 600 tons of superconducting strands, while the [[International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor]] uses an estimated 600 tonnes of Nb<sub>3</sub>Sn strands and 250 tonnes of NbTi strands.<ref name="alstrom">{{cite journal|journal = Fusion Engineering and Design (Proceedings of the 23rd Symposium of Fusion Technology)|volume= 75–79|issue= 2|date = 2005|pages = 3516|title = A success story: LHC cable production at ALSTOM-MSA|author=Grunblatt, G.|author2=Mocaer, P.|author3=Verwaerde Ch.|author4=Kohler, C.| doi = 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2005.06.216|bibcode= 2005ITAS...15.3516M|s2cid= 41810761}}</ref> In 1992 alone, more than US$1&nbsp;billion worth of clinical magnetic resonance imaging systems were constructed with niobium-titanium wire.<ref name="geballe" />

====Other superconductors====
[[File:A 1.3 GHz nine-cell superconducting radio frequency.JPG|thumb|A 1.3&nbsp;GHz 9-cell [[superconducting radio frequency]] cavity made from niobium is on display at [[Fermilab]]]]

The [[superconducting radio frequency]] (SRF) cavities used in the [[free-electron laser]]s [[FLASH]] (result of the cancelled TESLA linear accelerator project) and [[European x-ray free electron laser|XFEL]] are made from pure niobium.<ref>{{cite journal|journal = Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment|volume = 524|date = 2004|pages = 1–12|doi = 10.1016/j.nima.2004.01.045|title = Achievement of 35 MV/m in the superconducting nine-cell cavities for TESLA|author=Lilje, L.|display-authors=4|author2=Kako, E.|author3=Kostin, D.|author4=Matheisen, A.|author5=Möller, W.-D.|author6=Proch, D.|author7=Reschke, D.|author8=Saito, K.|author9=Schmüser, P.|author10=Simrock, S.|author11=Suzuki T.|author12=Twarowski, K.|issue = 1–3|arxiv = physics/0401141 |bibcode = 2004NIMPA.524....1L |s2cid = 2141809}}</ref> A [[cryomodule]] team at [[Fermilab]] used the same SRF technology from the FLASH project to develop 1.3&nbsp;GHz nine-cell SRF cavities made from pure niobium. The cavities will be used in the {{Convert|30|km|adj=on}} [[linear particle accelerator]] of the [[International Linear Collider]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The International Linear Collider Technical Design Report 2013|date=2013|publisher=International Linear Collider|url=http://edmsdirect.desy.de/edmsdirect/file.jsp?edmsid=D00000001021265&fileClass=native|access-date=15 August 2015|archive-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930150054/http://edmsdirect.desy.de/edmsdirect/file.jsp?edmsid=D00000001021265&fileClass=native|url-status=live}}</ref> The same technology will be used in [[LCLS-II]] at [[SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory]] and [[PIP-II]] at Fermilab.<ref>{{cite news|title=ILC-type cryomodule makes the grade|url=http://cerncourier.com/cws/article/cern/59319|access-date=15 August 2015|work=CERN Courier|publisher=IOP Publishing|date=27 November 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305131621/http://cerncourier.com/cws/article/cern/59319|url-status=live}}</ref>

The high sensitivity of superconducting [[niobium nitride]] [[bolometer]]s make them an ideal detector for [[electromagnetic radiation]] in the THz frequency band. These detectors were tested at the [[Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope|Submillimeter Telescope]], the [[South Pole Telescope]], the Receiver Lab Telescope, and at [[Atacama Pathfinder Experiment|APEX]], and are now used in the HIFI instrument on board the [[Herschel Space Observatory]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal = Review of Scientific Instruments|volume = 79|date = 2008|pages = 0345011–03451010|doi = 10.1063/1.2890099|title = A Hot-electron bolometer terahertz mixers for the Herschel Space Observatory|author=Cherednichenko, Sergey|display-authors=4|author2=Drakinskiy, Vladimir|author3=Berg, Therese|author4=Khosropanah, Pourya|author5=Kollberg, Erik|pmid = 18377032|issue = 3|bibcode = 2008RScI...79c4501C }}</ref>

===Other uses===
====Electroceramics====
[[Lithium niobate]], which is a [[ferroelectric]], is used extensively in mobile telephones and [[optical modulators]], and for the manufacture of [[surface acoustic wave]] devices. It belongs to the [[Perovskite|ABO<sub>3</sub>]] structure ferroelectrics like [[lithium tantalate]] and [[barium titanate]].<ref>{{cite book|title = Lithium Niobate: Defects, Photorefraction and Ferroelectric Switching|url = https://archive.org/details/lithiumniobatede00volk_393|url-access = limited|first = Tatyana|last = Volk|author2=Wohlecke, Manfred |publisher = Springer|date = 2008|isbn = 978-3-540-70765-3|pages = [https://archive.org/details/lithiumniobatede00volk_393/page/n12 1]–9}}</ref> [[Niobium capacitor]]s are available as alternative to [[tantalum capacitor]]s,<ref>{{cite journal|journal = Quality and Reliability Engineering International|volume = 14|issue = 2|doi = 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1638(199803/04)14:2<79::AID-QRE163>3.0.CO;2-Y|pages = 79–82|date = 1991 |title = Reliability comparison of tantalum and niobium solid electrolytic capacitors|first = Y.|last = Pozdeev|doi-access = free}}</ref> but tantalum capacitors still predominate. Niobium is added to glass to obtain a higher [[refractive index]], making possible thinner and lighter [[glasses|corrective glasses]].

====Hypoallergenic applications: medicine and jewelry====
Niobium and some niobium alloys are physiologically inert and [[hypoallergenic]]. For this reason, niobium is used in prosthetics and implant devices, such as pacemakers.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Mallela, Venkateswara Sarma|author2=Ilankumaran, V.|author3=Srinivasa Rao, N.| title = Trends in Cardiac Pacemaker Batteries|journal = Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J|volume = 4|issue = 4|pages = 201–212|date=1 January 2004|pmid = 16943934|pmc = 1502062}}</ref> Niobium treated with [[sodium hydroxide]] forms a porous layer that aids [[osseointegration]].<ref>{{cite journal|author=Godley, Reut|author2=Starosvetsky, David|author3=Gotman, Irena|date = 2004|title = Bonelike apatite formation on niobium metal treated in aqueous NaOH|journal = Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine|volume = 15|pages = 1073–1077|doi = 10.1023/B:JMSM.0000046388.07961.81|pmid = 15516867|issue = 10|s2cid=44988090}}</ref>

Like titanium, tantalum, and aluminium, niobium can be heated and [[anodize]]d ("reactive metal [[anodizing|anodization]]") to produce a wide array of [[Iridescence|iridescent]] colours for jewelry,<ref>{{cite journal|journal = Journal of Applied Electrochemistry|volume = 21|issue = 11|doi = 10.1007/BF01077589|pages = 1023–1026 |date = 1991|title = Anodization of niobium in sulphuric acid media|author=Biason Gomes, M. A.|author2=Onofre, S.|author3=Juanto, S.|author4=Bulhões, L. O. de S.|s2cid = 95285286}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal = Thin Solid Films|volume = 8|issue = 4|doi = 10.1016/0040-6090(71)90027-7|pages = R37–R39|date = 1971|title = A note on the thicknesses of anodized niobium oxide films|first = Y. L.|last = Chiou|bibcode = 1971TSF.....8R..37C }}</ref> where its hypoallergenic property is highly desirable.<ref>{{cite journal|doi = 10.1361/152981502770351860|author=Azevedo, C. R. F.|author2=Spera, G.|author3=Silva, A. P.|title = Characterization of metallic piercings that caused adverse reactions during use|journal = Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention|volume = 2|issue = 4|pages = 47–53|date =2002}}</ref>

====Numismatics====
Niobium is used as a precious metal in commemorative coins, often with [[silver]] or [[gold]]. For example, Austria produced a series of silver niobium [[euro]] coins starting in 2003; the colour in these coins is created by the [[diffraction]] of light by a thin anodized oxide layer.<ref>{{cite journal|doi = 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2005.10.008|journal = International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials|volume = 24|issue = 4|date = 2006|pages = 275–282|title = Niobium as mint metal: Production–properties–processing|first =Robert|last = Grill|author2=Gnadenberge, Alfred }}</ref> In 2012, ten coins are available showing a broad variety of colours in the centre of the coin: blue, green, brown, purple, violet, or yellow. Two more examples are the 2004 Austrian €25 [[Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Austria)#2004 coinage|150-Year Semmering Alpine Railway commemorative coin]],<ref>{{cite web|url =http://austrian-mint.at/bimetallmuenzen?l=en&muenzeSubTypeId=113&muenzeId=217|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110721053534/http://austrian-mint.at/bimetallmuenzen?l=en&muenzeSubTypeId=113&muenzeId=217|archive-date=21 July 2011|title = 25 Euro – 150 Years Semmering Alpine Railway (2004)|access-date=4 November 2008|publisher = [[Austrian Mint]]}}</ref> and the 2006 Austrian €25 [[Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Austria)#2006 coinage|European Satellite Navigation commemorative coin]].<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.austrian-mint.at/cms/download.php?downloadId=131|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110720002739/http://www.austrian-mint.at/cms/download.php?downloadId=131|archive-date=20 July 2011|title = 150 Jahre Semmeringbahn|access-date=4 September 2008| publisher = [[Austrian Mint]]| language=de}}</ref> The Austrian mint produced for Latvia a similar series of coins starting in 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.bank.lv/eng/main/all/lvnaud/jubmon/nmp/time/|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080109033431/http://www.bank.lv/eng/main/all/lvnaud/jubmon/nmp/time/ |archive-date=9 January 2008 |title = Neraža – mēs nevarējām atrast meklēto lapu!|language=lv|access-date=19 September 2008|publisher = Bank of Latvia}}</ref> with one following in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.bank.lv/eng/main/all/lvnaud/jubmon/nmp/time2/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090522101540/http://www.bank.lv/eng/main/all/lvnaud/jubmon/nmp/time2/|archive-date=22 May 2009|title = Neraža – mēs nevarējām atrast meklēto lapu!|language=lv|access-date=19 September 2008|publisher = Bank of Latvia}}</ref> In 2011, the Royal Canadian Mint started production of a $5 [[sterling silver]] and niobium coin named ''Hunter's Moon''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mint.ca/store/coin/5-sterling-silver-and-niobium-coin-hunters-moon-2011-prod1110013|title=$5 Sterling Silver and Niobium Coin – Hunter's Moon (2011)|publisher=Royal Canadian Mint|access-date=1 February 2012|archive-date=25 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225232038/http://www.mint.ca/store/coin/5-sterling-silver-and-niobium-coin-hunters-moon-2011-prod1110013|url-status=live}}</ref> in which the niobium was selectively oxidized, thus creating unique finishes where no two coins are exactly alike.

[[File:2004 Austria 25 Euro 150 Years Semmering Alpine Railway front.jpg|thumb|center|A 150 Years [[Semmering railway|Semmering Alpine Railway]] Coin made of niobium and silver |alt=Coin with a dark green center and a silvery outer rim. The rim reads: Republik Österreich 25 Euro. The centere shows electric and a steam driven locomotive]]

====Other====
The arc-tube seals of high pressure [[sodium vapor lamp]]s are made from niobium, sometimes alloyed with 1% of [[zirconium]]; niobium has a very similar coefficient of thermal expansion, matching the [[sintered]] [[alumina]] [[arc tube]] ceramic, a translucent material which resists chemical attack or [[redox|reduction]] by the hot liquid sodium and sodium vapour contained inside the operating lamp.<ref>{{cite book|title = Lamps and Lighting|author=Henderson, Stanley Thomas|author2=Marsden, Alfred Michael|author3=Hewitt, Harry|publisher = Edward Arnold Press|date = 1972|isbn = 978-0-7131-3267-0|pages = 244–245}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title = Refractory metals: crucial components for light sources|last = Eichelbrönner|first = G.|date =1998|journal = International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials|volume = 16|issue = 1|pages = 5–11|doi = 10.1016/S0263-4368(98)00009-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title = Niobium and Niobium 1% Zirconium for High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Discharge Lamps|author=Michaluk, Christopher A.|author2=Huber, Louis E.|author3=Ford, Robert B. |date = 2001|publisher=Niobium 2001 Limited |isbn = 978-0-9712068-0-9 |editor = Minerals, Metals and Materials Society}}</ref>

Niobium is used in [[arc welding]] rods for some stabilized grades of stainless steel<ref>{{US patent reference|number = 5254836|issue-date=19 October 1993|inventor = Okada, Yuuji; Kobayashi, Toshihiko; Sasabe, Hiroshi; Aoki, Yoshimitsu; Nishizawa, Makoto; Endo, Shunji|title = Method of arc welding with a ferrite stainless steel welding rod}}</ref><!--<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jxmetals.com/sdp/316680/4/cp-1271725.html|publisher=Shanghai Jiangxi Metals Co. Ltd|access-date=14 October 2008|title=Niobium – Properties & Uses}}</ref>--> and in anodes for cathodic protection systems on some water tanks, which are then usually plated with platinum.<ref>{{cite book|author=Moavenzadeh, Fred|title=Concise Encyclopedia of Building and Construction Materials|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YiJaEAUj258C&pg=PA157|access-date=18 February 2012|date=14 March 1990|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-13248-0|pages=157–|archive-date=3 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603023711/http://books.google.com/books?id=YiJaEAUj258C&pg=PA157|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Cardarelli, François|title=Materials handbook: a concise desktop reference|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PvU-qbQJq7IC&pg=PA352|access-date=18 February 2012|date=9 January 2008|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-84628-668-1|pages=352–|archive-date=3 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603004328/http://books.google.com/books?id=PvU-qbQJq7IC&pg=PA352|url-status=live}}</ref>

Niobium is used to make the high voltage wire of the [[solar corona]] particles receptor module of the [[Parker Solar Probe]].<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Dr. Tony Case |date=24 August 2018 |title=Scientist Interview: Dr. Tony Case (Parker Solar Probe) |language=en |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3GKfvPc2ns&t=214s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/m3GKfvPc2ns| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|access-date=24 August 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Niobium is a constituent of a lightfast chemically-stable inorganic yellow pigment that has the trade name NTP Yellow. It is Niobium Sulfur Tin Zinc Oxide, a [[pyrochlore]], produced via high-temperature [[calcination]]. The pigment is also known as pigment yellow 227, commonly listed as PY 227 or PY227.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Color of Art Pigment Database – Pigment Yellow – PY |date=2024 |website=artiscreation |url=https://www.artiscreation.com/yellow.html#PY227 |access-date=2024-08-17 }}</ref>

Niobium is employed in the atomic energy industry for its high temperature and corrosion resistance, as well as its stability under [[radiation]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shen |first1=Zhipeng |last2=Wang |first2=Tao |year=2024 |title=Irradiation resistance of a novel multi-component Nb alloy at elevated temperature |journal=Materials Characterization |volume=214 |page=114102 |doi=10.1016/j.matchar.2024.114102}}</ref> It is used in [[nuclear reactors]] for components like fuel rods and reactor cores.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.refractorymetal.org/uses-of-niobium/ |title=10 Important Uses of Niobium |website=Advanced Refractory Metals |date=2 April 2020 |access-date=Oct 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sathers |first1=D. |last2=Flanigan |first2=J. |year=2022 |title=Niobium rod quality and its impact on the production of Nb3Sn strand for the Divertor Tokamak Test Facility toroidal coils |journal=IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering |volume=1241 |page=012017 |doi=10.1088/1757-899X/1241/1/012017|doi-access=free }}</ref>

[[Nickel]] niobium alloys are used in aerospace, oil and gas, construction. They are used in components of jet engines, in ground gas turbines, elements of bridges and high-rise buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmitz |first=Sophia |date=2025-04-28 |title=Nickel Niobium Market Expected to Reach $2.5 Billion by 2034 as Demand Rises in Aerospace and Automotive Sectors |url=https://metals-wire.net/commodities/nickel-niobium-market-expected-to-reach-2-5-billion-by-2034-as-demand-rises-in-aerospace-and-automotive-sectors/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Metals Wire |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Smith |first1=G. D. |last2=Patel |first2=S. J. |title=The role of niobium in wrought preciptation-hardened nickel-base alloys |url=https://www.tms.org/Superalloys/10.7449/2005/Superalloys_2005_135_154.pdf |work=The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society|date=2005 |pages=135–154 |doi=10.7449/2005/Superalloys_2005_135_154 |isbn=978-0-87339-602-8 }}</ref>