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Nb
Z 41 · ATOMIC MASS 92.906

Niobium & Nb Alloys

Aerospace-grade refractory with superconductor pedigree.   Spherical pure Nb, Nb-1Zr, and NbTi (superconductor precursor) powder. Aerospace liquid-rocket thrust chambers, superconductor coils, chemical process. Domestic Brazil-sourced Nb.

Program Intake Program Tiers
Grades
Pure Nb · Nb-1Zr · NbTi
Purity
99.95% · 99.99% (RRR)
PSD cuts
15–45 · 45–106 μm
Process
PA · EB-melt + atomized
Lead time
4 weeks standard
Sourcing
Brazil · Canada · U.S.
01METALLURGY

Niobium (columbium) is the primary refractory metal for regeneratively-cooled liquid-rocket thrust chambers thanks to its combination of moderate density (8.57 g/cm³), high melting point (2477°C), and excellent formability. Nb-1Zr and C103 (Nb-10Hf-1Ti) have flown on the RL10, RS-25 (SSME), and dozens of upper-stage engines.

Brazil (CBMM, Araxá) produces ~85% of global Nb, with Canada (Niobec) supplying the majority of the balance. Both are U.S.-allied sources; we hold Nb-1Zr and RRR-grade Nb stock from allied refiners. Superconductor-precursor NbTi (46.5-47.5 wt% Ti) is available for MRI coil manufacturers on program qualification.

02SPECIFICATION
Chemistry — Pure Nb
ASTM B392 (bar) · AMS 7846
Chemistry — Nb-1Zr
ASTM B393 · Zr 0.8–1.2%, C ≤ 100 ppm
Chemistry — Nb 3-N (RRR)
99.9% minimum, residual resistivity ratio > 150
Oxygen (spherical)
≤ 300 ppm
Carbon
≤ 50 ppm
Nitrogen
≤ 100 ppm
Hydrogen
≤ 15 ppm
Morphology
Spherical (PA)
Apparent density
Reported per lot COA under program qualification
Hall flow
Reported per lot COA under program qualification
PSD (LPBF)
Reported per lot COA under program qualification
RRR (superconductor)
> 150 (available > 300 on request)
Traceability
Mine → refinery → EB-melt → atomizer
03GRADES & ALLOYS
Pure Nb 99.95%
General refractory and chemical-process applications.
Nb 3-N (RRR)
Superconductor-grade. High residual resistivity ratio.
Nb-1Zr
Solid-solution strengthened. Rocket-engine thrust chambers.
NbTi (superconductor)
46.5–47.5% Ti. MRI and NMR magnet coil precursor.
Nb3Sn precursor
Wire-in-tube composite for HEP-grade superconductors.
FeNb (ferro-niobium)
Steel microalloying feedstock. HSLA pipeline steel.
04PROCESSING ROUTES
LPBF
Argon atmosphere, O₂ < 300 ppm. Preheat > 200°C.
EBM
Vacuum atmosphere ideal for Nb.
DED
Coarser PSD. Higher deposition rate.
Spin-forming
Traditional route for regen-cooled thrust chamber jackets.
EB-welding
Preferred joining route for Nb assemblies.
Explosion cladding
Nb on steel for chemical-process equipment.
05APPLICATIONS
Aerospace
Rocket Thrust Chambers
Nb-1Zr regeneratively-cooled combustion chambers for upper-stage engines.
Superconductor
MRI & Particle Accelerators
NbTi and Nb3Sn precursor for magnet coils.
Steelmaking
HSLA Microalloying
FeNb addition to pipeline and structural steel. AMS 4979 route.
Chemical
Process Equipment
Nb-clad steel for hot acid service.
Nuclear
Reactor Structural
Nb-1Zr for liquid-metal reactor loops.
Medical
Superconducting Magnets
MRI magnet windings via NbTi wire drawn from Nb-Ti powder route.
06QUALITY CONTROL
Chemistry
LECO (O/N/C/H) · ICP-MS · GDMS for RRR grades
PSD
Laser diffraction per ASTM B822
Morphology
SEM per lot
RRR measurement
Four-point resistivity at 4.2 K and 293 K on request
Superconductor Tc
Critical-temperature measurement on request for NbTi lots
Cleanliness
Sieve residue analysis, oversized inclusion count
Every lot ships with a mill-certified Certificate of Conformance (CofC) documenting chemistry, PSD, morphology, flow, and traceability from mill heat through atomization to PO. Retained samples are held per lot for program-life duration.

Move it to a
program.

MPS-1 qualification, MPS-2 production, or MPS-3 strategic supply. 4-week standard lead time on qualified stock.

Program Intake Compare Program Tiers