Niobium Research Paper

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Niobium, an element a confused early past. It was named after the Greek mythological figure of Niobe, Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus. The reason Niobium was given this name was because the element itself had remarkably alike chemical properties to the element Tantalum. However it was formerly named Columbium, this was the element’s common name in America. In comparison, the name of Niobium was more frequency in use in Europe. However, such debate over the name of the element came to an end in 1949 at the Conference of the Union of Chemistry in Amsterdam. The verdict was reached and the name of the element officially became Niobium. Niobium is a metal element. The elemental properties of Niobium are that is a ductile metal, it has a grey color, with a lustrous shine. In 1801, British chemist Charles hatchett discovered Niobium in mineral form. He discovered it when it was sent from Massachusetts to England by John Winthrop in 1734, but forgotten about until Charles Hatchett analyzed it in 1801. He proceeded to give Niobium it’s first name, Columbium. Given that the …show more content…

Niobium is added to steel in its production. The addition of Niobium when added to steel allows for the metal to harden. This allows for a stronger steel to be used in both pipes and cars. However Niobium also acts as a brilliant superalloy and is commonly used in rocket assemblies, gas turbines, and jet engines. Niobium plays a vital role in the nozzle of rockets. The Apollo rockets are a most notable case, there rocket nozzles were made up of a Niobium alloy known as C-103. However uses of Niobium are also found in superconducting magnets. These magnets are helpful in the medical devices such as MRI scanners. It is also present in particle accelerators. Most notably, the LHC uses 600 tonnes of niobium

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