Editing Niobium (section)

===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>