 Discovery Information |
| Who:
Charles Hatchet
|
| When: 1801 |
| Where: England |
|
| Name Origin |
| From Niobe; daughter of the mythical Greek king Tantalus. |
|
| Sources |
| Occurs in the minerals columbite, columbite-tantalite, pyrochlore and euxenite. Brazil and Canada are the major producers of niobium mineral concentrates and extensive ore reserves are also in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Russia. |
|
| Uses |
| It is used in stainless steel alloys for nuclear reactors, jets, missiles, cutting tools, pipelines, super magnets and welding rods. Because of its bluish color, niobium is also used in body piercing jewellery (usually as an alloy). |
|
| Notes |
| Niobium containing compounds are relatively rarely encountered by most people but many are highly toxic and should be treated with care. Metallic niobium dust is an eye and skin irritant and also can be a fire hazard. |
| Previously known as Columbium (Cb). |
