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Niobium is the metal of extremes. Whether it is fortifying the structural steel of a deep-sea gas pipeline or chilling down to near absolute zero to power the magnetic core of a medical MRI scanner, Niobium excels under pressure. It is a critical enabler of heavy industry and advanced healthcare alike.
As a trusted UK manufacturer of advanced materials, Less Common Metals (LCM) understands the exacting demands of the aerospace, medical and energy sectors. Located in Ellesmere Port, UK, we supply the high-purity Niobium required to push the boundaries of superconducting technology and high-strength alloys.
| Composition | Niobium Lump 99.9% |
| Common metallic impurities | Trace metals basis |
| Physical Description | Grey metallic |
| Analytics | ICP-OES |
| Certificate of analysis | Available upon request |
| Packaging | Packed in sealed polythene bags and supplied in securely sealed metal drums, resistant to the impregnation of water |
Niobium is a soft, grey, crystalline transition metal. It is highly ductile, highly resistant to corrosion, and boasts a very high melting point. Chemically, it is so similar to Tantalum (Ta) that the two elements were once thought to be identical. However, Niobium’s true claim to fame is its ability to become a superconductor at extremely low temperatures, and its unparalleled ability to strengthen steel when added in even minute quantities.
Niobium’s applications are split between massive infrastructural scale and highly precise medical and aerospace technologies:
In the automotive and aerospace industries, “lightweighting” is the key to fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Niobium is a miracle element for this goal, as it drastically increases the strength of steel. With this, engineers can use less material to achieve the same structural integrity. Thus, shedding massive amounts of weight from cars, trucks and aircraft without sacrificing an ounce of safety.
