niobium

/nai'oubiəm/

Thân thiện

A scientist holds a small sample of niobium in a laboratory.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chemical element: Niobium is a soft, grey, ductile metallic element with the symbol Nb and atomic number 41. It is used primarily in alloys, especially for steel, to improve strength.
   • Occurrence: It occurs naturally in the mineral niobite (also known as coltan or columbite).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Niobium is added to stainless steel to prevent corrosion.
  • The superconducting magnets use wires made from a niobium-titanium alloy.
  • The mineral niobite is the primary source of niobium.

Advanced Usage

• In Materials Science: Niobium is often discussed in the context of superalloys for jet engines and superconducting materials for MRI machines.
  • The research focuses on niobium's superconducting properties at low temperatures.

Variants and Related Words

• Niobite (n): The principal mineral ore from which niobium is extracted.
• Columbium (n): The former name for niobium, still occasionally used in some contexts, particularly in older literature or in the United States.
• Niobium alloy (n phrase): A material created by combining niobium with other metals.

Synonyms

• Columbium (historical synonym, same element).

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Niobium carbide: A very hard, refractory ceramic material used in cutting tools.
• Niobium oxide: A compound of niobium and oxygen, used in optics and as a catalyst.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a soft grey ductile metallic element used in alloys; occurs in niobite; formerly called columbium

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Nb
• atomic number 41