Niobium has physical and chemical properties similar to those of the element tantalum, and the two are therefore difficult to distinguish. The English chemist Charles Hatchett reported a new element similar to tantalum in 1801, and named it columbium. In 1809, the English chemist William Hyde Wollaston wrongly concluded that tantalum and columbium were identical. The German chemist Heinrich Rose determined in 1846 that tantalum ores contain a second element, which he named niobium. In 1864 and 1865, a series of scientific findings clarified that niobium and columbium were the same element (as distinguished from tantalum), and for a century both names were used interchangeably. The name of the element was officially adopted as niobium in 1949.

It was not until the early 20th century that niobium was first used commercially. Brazil is the leading producer of niobium and ferroniobium, an alloy of niobium and iron. Niobium is used mostly in alloys, the largest part in special steel such as that used in gas pipelines. Although alloys contain only a maximum of 0.1%, that small percentage of niobium improves the strength of the steel. The temperature stability of niobium-containing superalloys is important for its use in jet and rocket engines. Niobium is used in various superconducting materials. These superconducting alloys, also containing titanium and tin, are widely used in the superconducting magnets of MRI scanners. Other applications of niobium include its use in welding, nuclear industries, electronics, optics, numismatics and jewelry. In the last two applications, niobium's low toxicity and ability to be coloured by anodisation are particular advantages.

Basic Information

Niobium Sputtering Targets (Nb Target)

Purity --- 99.95%

Shape--- Discs, Plate, Step Taper(Dia ≤300mm,,  Thickness ≥1mm)

                Rectangle, Sheet,  Step (Length ≤1000mm, Width ≤350mm, Thickness ≥1mm)

                Tube( Diameter< 350mm,  Thickness >2mm, Rotary target)

Application --- Anodic films for rectification.

Niobium Pellet (Evaporation Material)

Purity--- 99%,99.5%,99.9%

Shape--- 3-8mm Irregular pieces, pellet

Application --- Anodic films for rectification.

Niobium  Metals Product (Nb tube, wire, rod, foil,  slab, disk, granule, Lump... )

Purity --- 99.95%

Speciafication --- Wire (diameter 0.1mm - 5mm), Rod (diameter 0.5mm - 50mm ),  Foil (thickness to 0.01mm - 0.09mm, width < 110mm)                                 Sheet (thickness to 0.1mm - 0.9mm, width < 650mm), Slab (thickness 1cm - 5cm, width < 1000mm),                                 Disc (diameter < 350mm, thickness  0.1mm - 30mm )

Niobium  Metals Powder ( Nb Powder )

Purity --- 99.95%    

Speciafication --- 325 mesh, 250 mesh, 100 mesh, 60 mesh, 40 mesh, 20 mesh, 10 mesh 

Application --- metallurgical purposes, capacitors

Niobium Tube ( Nb Tube)

Purity --- 99.95%       

Speciafication --- OD( 0.5-50mm), ID( 0.2-5)

Application --- 

Niobium Boat (Nb Evaporation Boat)

Purity---99.95%  

Speciafication --- Rectangle ( Longth:50-450mm, Width:15-200mm, Height:10-200mm)

                                Squareness  ( Longth: 50-200mm, Height: 10-200mm),  Base on customer (By drawing)

Application --- Evaporation Process  Assistant  Tools

Niobium Crucible 

Purity---99.95% 

Speciafication --- Base on customer

Application --- Metallurgical purposes