niobium
/nʌɪˈəʊbɪəm
/noun [mass noun]
The chemical element of atomic number 41, a silver-grey metal of the transition series, used in superconducting alloys. (Symbol: Nb) Magnesium, titanium, zirconium, niobium, tantalum, molybdenum and tungsten may be soldered if they are plated with a solderable metal coating such as silver....
- Other elements added to improve characteristics include nickel, molybdenum, copper, titanium, aluminum, silicon, niobium, nitrogen, sulfur, and selenium.
- Depending on specific requirements related to their use, hard metals might additionally contain small quantities of chromium, niobium, molybdenum, titanium, tantalum or vanadium carbides.
Origin
Mid 19th century: modern Latin, from Niobe, by association with her father Tantalus (so named because the element was first found in tantalite).