PRODUCT Properties
| Melting point: | 2468 °C (lit.) |
| Boiling point: | 4742 °C (lit.) |
| Density | 8.57 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.) |
| storage temp. | -20°C |
| solubility | insoluble in acid solutions |
| form | wire |
| Specific Gravity | 8.57 |
| color | Silver-gray |
| Resistivity | 13-16 μΩ-cm, 20°C |
| Water Solubility | Insoluble in water. |
| Merck | 13,6584 |
| Exposure limits | ACGIH: TWA 0.5 ppm(2.5 mg/m3); Ceiling 2 ppm (Skin) OSHA: TWA 3 ppm NIOSH: IDLH 30 ppm(250 mg/m3); TWA 3 ppm(2.5 mg/m3); Ceiling 6 ppm(5 mg/m3) |
| Stability: | Stable. Incompatible with strong bases, strong oxidizing agents, halogens, oxygen. |
Description and Uses
Refined niobium metal is most useful as an alloy with other metals. It is used to producespecial stainless steel alloys, to make high-temperature magnets, as special metals for rocketsand missiles, and for high- and low-temperature–resistant ceramics. Stainless steel that hasbeen combined with niobium is less likely to break down under very high temperatures.This physical attribute is ideal for construction of both land- and sea-based nuclear reactors.Niobium has special cryogenic properties. It can withstand very cold temperatures, whichimproves its ability to conduct electricity. This characteristic makes it an excellent metal forlow-temperature electrical superconductors.
Niobium alloyed with germanium becomes a superconductor of electricity that does notlose its superconductivity at 23.2° Kelvin as large amounts of electrical current are passedthrough it, as do some other superconductive alloys. In the pure metallic state, niobium wiresare 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.
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Safety
| Symbol(GHS) |  GHS02 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H228 |
| Precautionary statements | P210-P240-P241-P280-P370+P378 |
| Hazard Codes | F,Xi,C |
| Risk Statements | 17-36/37/38-40-34-20/21/22 |
| Safety Statements | 17-36-26-6-45-36/37/39-27 |
| RIDADR | UN 1383 4.2/PG 1 |
| WGK Germany | - |
| RTECS | QT9900000 |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HazardClass | 8 |
| PackingGroup | II |
| HS Code | 8112993090 |
| Toxicity | LD50 intraperitoneal in mouse: > 10gm/kg |
