Element 41 · Transition Metal
Niobium
Niobium is the secret ingredient in modern pipeline steel — adding small amounts dramatically improves strength.
Element Facts
SYMBOL
Nb
ATOMIC NO.
41
ATOMIC WEIGHT
92.91
CATEGORY
Transition Metal
PERIOD
Period 5
GROUP
Group 5
Historical Uses
Niobium was discovered in 1801 by English chemist Charles Hatchett in a mineral from Connecticut donated to the British Museum. He named it “columbium” after Columbia (America). The element was independently discovered and named “niobium” (after Niobe in Greek mythology) by Heinrich Rose in 1844. The name niobium was not officially adopted by IUPAC until 1949. From the 1920s, niobium’s role as an alloying element in high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel for oil and gas pipelines and structural steel became its primary commercial application.
Overview
Niobium is element 41, originally called columbium in the US (some American technical literature still uses Cb). Brazil produces over 90% of world niobium.
Current Uses
Microalloying additions (under 0.1%) in high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) pipeline and structural steels — dramatically improves strength and weldability. Niobium-tin and niobium-titanium superconductors for MRI scanners and particle accelerators (LHC magnets are Nb-Ti). Some superalloys.
Not Commercially Viable for Scrap
Why QuickStop Metals doesn’t buy Niobium:
Niobium appears in steel scrap only at parts-per-thousand concentrations as a microalloying element. Cannot be separately recovered. Niobium superconductor scrap from medical and research equipment goes to specialist superalloy recyclers.
Price Context
Ferroniobium (the alloy used in steel) trades at approximately £30–55/kg. Brazil (CBMM) dominates over 85% of global supply. While niobium appears as a trace alloying element in steel scrap, it is not specifically extracted or bought at scrap yards.