What is niobium used for?| Detailed Explanation

Niobium has an extraordinary impact on human daily life, so what is niobium used for? This article will explain the origin, chemical features, and general uses of niobium.

Niobium element and other elements exist in ores such as tantalum niobium ore, ferrolead ore, sericite, pyrochlorite, pyrochlore, and cerium niobium perovskite. Australia and Africa currently have the largest and most abundant niobium deposits discovered in the world.

Unlike elements such as carbon, sodium and magnesium, we rarely mention niobium in our daily lives. However, niobium is used in many aspects in our lives, and we have a better life because of niobium element. 

The Discovery of Niobium Element 

Firstly, niobium element belongs to metallic elements. A Swedish chemist discovered a new element in tantalum ore, whose chemical features were very much alike to those of tantalum in 1802.

The chemist took the niobium element as tantalum by mistake. Later a German chemist compared and analyzed niobium and tantalum minerals, and then he found the independent existence of niobium element.

What is niobium used for?

1.The amazing use of niobium element:

Niobium element has many functions, which can be used to prepare alloys and manufacture superconductors. However, the unique feature of niobium is its bio-compatibility.

Generally speaking, organic matter and metals are mutually exclusive. The human body is prone to metal allergies, for example, people wearing glasses may have experienced such experiences where the metal legs of the glasses make the ear area very itchy, which is skin allergy to metal.

Why do we wear accessories made of pure silver? It's because silver is a rare metal that is not allergic to human skin. However, the friendliness of metal niobium to the human body far exceeds that of silver.

In terms of terminology, niobium has excellent "physiological corrosion resistance" and "bio-compatibility", which means it does not rust, does not exclude impurities, and does not interact with various fluids in the human body. Even more miraculously, muscles can grow on niobium bars, just like on real bones. Someone has nicknamed niobium "Metal Meat".

If a person's skull is damaged, the best substitute is a niobium based artificial skull. Niobium wire can be used to suture nerves and tendons. Making niobium into a yarn-like or mesh-like structure can be used to compensate for muscle tissue.

If the human body fractures, it is best to use "niobium alloy" to create artificial bones. You might say, aren't artificial bones all made of titanium alloy? Yes. The reason is simple, niobium is too rare and expensive, and most people cannot afford it.

2.Other chemical features and uses of niobium element

1)Para-magnetism and superconducting features: What does it mean? Para-magnetism refers to the feature of a material which is magnetized. Superconducting materials refer to materials that have nearly no electric resistance. Niobium element has this kind of feature which makes it a good choice for MRI machines and other medical imaging facilities. 

2)Micro-alloying: Among various micro-alloying elements in the steel material, waste niobium is an ideal one. And niobium element can make the steel have a better strength and extensibility.

3)Women love beautiful things, and no woman can resist the temptation of jewelry. And niobium element is used by people to make jewelry, which can increase the color of jewelry and make them more outstanding. This characteristic of niobium element has also been applied to the production of commemorative coins.

4) Do you know about myopia glasses? Niobium can increase the refractive index of glass, and lenses using niobium will be lighter and thinner than ordinary lenses.

Is niobium harmful to the human body?

Niobium is non-toxic when present in elemental form. And it is difficult for people to encounter niobium in their daily life and work. But some compounds containing niobium are toxic, especially niobium powder. The occupational hazards of niobium powder include biological toxicity, skin contact, eye contact, and potential carcinogenicity.

In order to protect the health of workers, we must take a series of preventive measures, including workplace control, personal protective measures, good hygiene conditions, health monitoring, and vocational training. Only in a good working environment and correct protective measures can the harm caused by niobium powder to workers be effectively reduced.

Conclusion:

This article discusses the origin, physical and chemical properties, and the answer to the question “What is niobium used for?”. You will find that niobium, which sounds unfamiliar, plays an indispensable role in our lives. Although niobium itself is harmless to the human body, niobium powder poses occupational hazards and requires proper protection.