[nahy-oh-bee-uh
m] 
| a steel-gray metallic element resembling tantalum in its chemical properties; becomes a superconductor below 9 K; used chiefly in alloy steels. Symbol: Nb; atomic number: 41; atomic weight: 92.906; specific gravity: 8.4 at 20°C. |
| ni·o·bi·um (nī-ō'bē-əm) n. Symbol Nb A silvery, soft, ductile metallic element that occurs chiefly in columbite-tantalite and is used in steel alloys, arc welding, and superconductivity research. Atomic number 41; atomic weight 92.906; melting point 2,468°C; boiling point 4,927°C; specific gravity 8.57; valence 2, 3, 5. See Table at element. [After Niobe (so called because it is extracted from tantalite).] |
niobium ni·o·bi·um (nī-ō'bē-əm)
n.
Symbol Nb
A soft ductile metallic element that is used in steel alloys and superconductors. Atomic number 41; atomic weight 92.906; melting point 2,477°C; boiling point 4,744°C; specific gravity 8.57; valence 2, 3, 5.
niobium
chemical element, refractory metal of Group Vb of the periodic table, used in alloys, tools and dies, and superconductive magnets. Niobium is closely associated with tantalum in ores and in properties.
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