Niobium burns when heated in air and combines with nitrogen , hydrogen , and the halogens . It resists the actions of most acids. Its principal use is as an alloy ing element in stainless steel, to which it lends additional corrosion resistance, particularly at high temperature s. Niobium ranks about 32nd in natural abundance among the elements in crustal rock. It occurs, associated with the similar element tantalum , in various mineral s, the most important of which is called columbite or tantalite, depending on which of the two elements predominates.
Pure niobium has excellent characteristics as a construction material in nuclear power plants.
The atomic weight of niobium is 92.906. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.