Niobium is a shiny ductile metal with a white luster, which takes a bluish tinge when exposed to air at room temperature. It has many similarities to tantalum and both are often found in niobium minerals. The primary mineral from which niobium is obtained is known as pyrochlore. The world’s largest deposits are located in Brazil. The ferro niobium marketed by Fondel Metals BV originates from the Catalão mining operation of Anglo American Brazil.
The pyrochlore mineral is processed by primarily physical processing technology to give a concentrate with more than 60% niobium oxide. Most of that output is in the form of Ferro Niobium with a nominal 65% niobium oxide content, for making high-strength, low-alloy steel (HSLA). The end uses for Ferro Niobium are in carbon steels (30%), HSLA steel (22%), alloy steel (14%) and in stainless and heat resisting steels (13%).
Ferro Niobium imparts a doubling of strength and toughness as well as weight reduction due to its grain refining attributes in carbon and HSLA steels. The main first use industries for Ferro Niobium are in carbon pipelines, construction and automobiles. It is also added to stainless steel to stop embrittlement after welding.
Contact: Edwin Koens, tel: +31(0)10 266 2555,
metals@fondel.com
