Atomic properties
Market data
Commercial forms & specifications
| Product Form | Chemical Formula | Molecular Weight | Typical Purity | Price Range (USD/kg) | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferroniobium (Standard Grade) | FeNb (65% Nb) | Variable | 65-67% Nb | $42-48 | Steel production (HSLA steel) |
| Vacuum Grade Ferroniobium | FeNb (65% Nb) | Variable | 65% Nb, low impurities | $50-58 | Superalloys, special steels |
| Niobium Metal Ingot | Nb | 92.91 g/mol | 99.5-99.9% | $180-250 | Superconductors, electronics |
| Niobium Metal Sheet/Plate | Nb | 92.91 g/mol | 99.5-99.95% | $350-450 | Chem process equipment, aerospace |
| Niobium Wire | Nb | 92.91 g/mol | 99.5-99.99% | $500-800 | Superconducting wire, electronics |
| Niobium Pentoxide | Nb₂O₅ | 265.81 g/mol | 99.5-99.99% | $45-70 | Optical glass, ceramics, catalysts |
| Niobium Carbide | NbC | 104.92 g/mol | 99.0-99.5% | $85-120 | Cutting tools, wear-resistant coatings |
| Niobium Powder (Spherical) | Nb | 92.91 g/mol | 99.5-99.9% | $400-1200 | 3D printing, powder metallurgy |
| Niobium Capacitor Powder | Nb | 92.91 g/mol | 99.9-99.99% | $450-800 | Capacitors, electronics |
| Niobium-Titanium Alloy | NbTi (47% Nb) | Variable | 46-48% Nb | $250-400 | Superconducting magnets (MRI, NMR) |
| Niobium-Tin (Nb₃Sn) | Nb₃Sn | 416.35 g/mol | Stoichiometric | $1500-3000 | High-field superconductors |
| Potassium Niobate | KNbO₃ | 180.00 g/mol | 99.0-99.9% | $150-300 | Piezoelectric devices, optics |
Suppliers by country
🇧🇷 Brazil
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| CBMM (Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração) | Ferroniobium (standard & vacuum grade), Nb₂O₅, metallic Nb, special alloys | World's largest producer (80% global supply), integrated mining-to-products |
| CMOC International Brazil | Ferroniobium, niobium oxide | Second largest Brazilian producer, Catalão mine operations |
🇨🇦 Canada
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Niobec (Magris Resources) | Ferroniobium, niobium oxide | North America's only niobium mine, underground operations |
| Commerce Resources | Development stage | Blue River project (tantalum-niobium) |
🇺🇸 United States
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Technologies (ATI) | Nb metal products, sheet, plate, wire | High-purity niobium processing, aerospace applications |
| H.C. Starck Solutions | Nb powder, capacitor powder, high-purity Nb | Electronic grade materials, advanced powders |
| Global Advanced Metals | Nb powder, wire, capacitor materials | Tantalum-niobium specialty products |
🇩🇪 Germany
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Heraeus | High-purity Nb, superconductor precursors | Ultra-high purity materials, superconductor technology |
| H.C. Starck Tungsten | Nb carbide, specialty compounds | Refractory metal compounds |
🇨🇳 China
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Ningxia Orient Tantalum | Nb products, powders, compounds | Integrated Ta-Nb production |
| Jiangxi Tungsten | Nb compounds, ferroniobium | Downstream Nb products |
🇯🇵 Japan
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Mitsui & Co. | Trading/distribution of Nb products | Strategic partnership with CBMM, Asian distribution |
| JX Nippon Mining & Metals | High-purity Nb, sputtering targets | Electronic materials, thin film applications |
Market demand by product form
| Product Form | Global Market Size | USA Market | China Market | Growth Rate (CAGR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferroniobium | $5.2 billion | 7% share | 27% share | 5.5% |
| Niobium Metal Products | $480 million | 25% share | 18% share | 6.8% |
| Niobium Oxide | $320 million | 15% share | 35% share | 4.2% |
| Niobium Carbide | $150 million | 20% share | 30% share | 5.0% |
| Superconductor Materials | $890 million | 35% share | 15% share | 8.5% |
| - NbTi Alloy | $550 million | 40% share | 12% share | 7.5% |
| - Nb₃Sn | $340 million | 28% share | 20% share | 10.5% |
| Capacitor Grade Powder | $210 million | 30% share | 25% share | 6.0% |
Market trends
Steel Industry Growth: HSLA steel demand driving 90% of niobium consumption, especially in China and India infrastructure Supply Concentration: Brazil controls 85% of global supply, creating supply chain vulnerability concerns Superconductor Boom: Quantum computing and fusion energy driving demand for NbTi and Nb₃Sn materials 3D Printing Adoption: Aerospace industry adopting Nb alloys for high-temperature applications Strategic Metal Status: USA, EU, Japan classifying niobium as critical mineral, investing in supply diversification Green Steel Initiative: Niobium micro-alloying reducing steel weight by 30%, supporting decarbonization goals Price Stability: Long-term contracts with CBMM maintaining stable pricing despite demand growth
Moles per kilogram
| Product Form | Formula | MW (g/mol) | Moles/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niobium Metal | Nb | 92.91 | 10.76 |
| Niobium Pentoxide | Nb₂O₅ | 265.81 | 3.76 |
| Niobium Carbide | NbC | 104.92 | 9.53 |
| Ferroniobium (65% Nb basis) | FeNb | ~143 (approx) | 7.00 |
| Potassium Niobate | KNbO₃ | 180.00 | 5.56 |
| Niobium-Tin | Nb₃Sn | 416.35 | 2.40 |
References
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Coverage notes
The following sections are thin or absent in the source document for this element. They will be filled by enrichment passes (NIST atomic, OSHA/NIOSH safety, USGS / IAI environmental).
- Missing section: Raw Material Sources
- Missing section: Production Cost
- Missing section: Energy Consumption