Niobium alloy

Si-20Ci-20Fe foi niobium alloys and MoSi foi molybdenum alloys (see Mol denumand mol denum alloys Niobiumand niobium compounds Refractory coatings) (33). 

Fig. 12. Effect of temperature on the stress—mpture properties of three niobium alloys coated with a siUcide at A, 1205°C, and B, 1315°C (B) represents all...

Niobium is important as an alloy addition in steels (see Steel). This use consumes over 90% of the niobium produced. Niobium is also vital as an alloying element in superalloys for aircraft turbine engines. Other uses, mainly in aerospace appHcations, take advantage of its heat resistance when alloyed singly or with groups of elements such as titanium, tirconium, hafnium, or tungsten. Niobium alloyed with titanium or with tin is also important in the superconductor industry (see High temperature alloys Refractories). 

Fused-salt electrolysis of K2NbFy is not an economically feasible process because of the low current efficiency (31). However, electrowinning has been used to obtain niobium from molten alkaU haUde electrolytes (32). The oxide is dissolved in molten alkaU haUde and is deposited in a molten metal cathode, either cadmium or zinc. The reaction is carried out in a ceramic or glass container using a carbon anode the niobium alloys with the cathode metal, from which it is freed by vacuum distillation, and the niobium powder is left behind. 

Hafnium-free zirconium alloys containing tin or niobium are used for tubing to hold uranium oxide fuel pellets inside water-cooled nuclear reactors. Zirconium —niobium alloys are used for pressure tubes and stmctural components in Canadian, the former USSR, and Germany reactor designs. 

Fig. 3.24. Di rect-imaging mode SIMS image of a passivation layer on a niobium alloy [3.54], Boron enrichment at the interface is not visible with EPMA. Measurement time 10 s image diameter 150 pm primary ions OJ primary energy 5.5 keV.

Niobium-Zirconium-Titanium Niobium alloys containing zirconium and titanium have improved resistance to high-temperature water and have been evaluated for use in pressurised-water nuclear reactors. 

Tantalum-Niobium Alloying tantalum usually decreases the corrosion resistance of the metal due to metallic contamination of the TajOj passive film. The corrosion rates in HCl and H2SO4 environments increase roughly... 

The nozzle of original design was fabricated from a niobium alloy coated with niobium silicide and could not operate above 1320°C. This was replaced by a thin shell of rhenium protected on the inside by a thin layer of iridium. The iridium was deposited first on a disposable mandrel, from iridium acetylacetonate (pentadionate) (see Ch. 6). The rhenium was then deposited over the iridium by hydrogen reduction of the chloride. The mandrel was then chemically removed. Iridium has a high melting point (2410°C) and provides good corrosion protection for the rhenium. The nozzle was tested at 2000°C and survived 400 cycles in a high oxidizer to fuel ratio with no measurable corrosion.O l... 

Early work on superconductors concentrated on metals or metal mixtures (alloys). Niobium alloys are particularly good superconductors, and in 1973 a niobium alloy, Nb3Ge, was found to have Tc — 23 K, the highest known value for a metal superconductor. In 1986, a ceramic oxide with formula La2- Ba CuOq was found to show superconductivity at 30 K. Through intense research efforts on ceramic oxides, YBa2 C U3 Oj-, with Tc — 93 K, was discovered in 1987. 

Many of uses of tin are also those of lead, because the metals form useful alloys. When lead is alloyed with a few percent of tin, it becomes harder and more durable. Although other compositions are produced, common solder consists of about an equal mixture of tin and lead. An alloy known as type metal contains about 82% Pb, 15% Sb, and 3% Sn, and pewter contains approximately 90% tin that is alloyed with copper and antimony. Babbitt, an alloy used in making bearings, contains 90% Sn, 7% Sb, and 3% Cu. Tin is also used to coat other metal objects to retard corrosion, and a tin-niobium alloy is used in superconducting magnets. 

Niobium alloyed with germanium becomes a superconductor of electricity that does not lose its superconductivity at 23.2° Kelvin as large amounts of electrical current are passed through it, as do some other superconductive alloys. In the pure metallic state, niobium wires are also superconductors when the temperatures are reduced to near absolute zero (—273°C). Niobium alloys are also used to make superconductive magnets as well as jewelry. 

Niobium alloys are components of experimental supermagnets that are being tested to drive super-fast forms of ground transportation. 

Aluminium-niobium alloys are best produced by the Goldschmidt process. A product which contains about 8 per cent, of aluminium is harder than glass or quartz its density is 7 5.3 A brittle alloy of chromium and niobium is obtained by fusing green chromium oxide and niobium together in the electric furnace.1... 

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