Ferroniobium is included in many materials. It is an important alloying agent that can significantly improve certain steel properties.
Metotechnics Company offers ferroniobium. For this call us, send a request via e-mail or make an order on the website on the price list page.
See the corresponding sections on this page for the product detailed description, grades and application recommendations.
Grades
Ferroniobium is designated as follows: FeNbniobium + tantalum> where Fe means “ferroalloy”; Nb means “niobium”.
The standard regulates the following ferroniobium grades: FeNb60, FeNb58, FeNb55С, FeNb50С, etc. The number means the average content of (%) Nb+Ta. Ferroniobium usually contains tantalum (Ta) due to the presence of the above-mentioned chemical elements in ores and very similar chemical properties. After reduction smelting Nb and Ta are transferred to the ferroalloy. Iron (Fe) is also an important component of FeNb so as of other ferroalloys.
Such adverse admixtures as carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) have the highest weight per cent. Also there is a high silicon (Si), aluminum (Al) and titanium content.
Ferroniobium chemical composition is regulated by GOST 16773-2003.
Production
Ferroniobium manufacturing process is based on reduction. Aluminum (Al), carbon (C) and silicon (Si) can be used as reducing reagents. Al is the most common reducing reagent in FeNb industrial production.
Niobium is a rare metal. Minerals have a low content of this element. If ore contains about 0.15-0.20% of V (N2O5) niobium oxide, it is suitable for industrial reprocessing. The most highly-demanded minerals are columbite (Fe, Mn)(Nb, Ta)2O6 with 50-67% of Nb2O3 and pyrochlore (Ca, Na)2(Nb, Ta, Ti)2O6(OH, F) with 40-70% of Nb2O5.
Niobium concentrates serve as primary raw materials for producing ferroniobium. They are produced by gravity or flotational ore dressing. Initial (crude) concentrates have a very high phosphorus (P) content so they are dephosphorized. Nb/P ratio in ferroniobium should exceed 20.
The following industrial methods of melting FeNb are applied:
ladle “block” smelting
ladle melting with production of metal and slags
arc furnace melting.
Ferroniobium is supplied in form of slugs and ground screened particles (their sizes depend on the alloy class).
Supply condition, batch selection principle and other requirements towards FeNb are given in GOST 16773-2003.
Application
Niobium is an important component of different materials. This additive to heatproof and stainless steel increases its plasticity and corrosive stability. Nb improves the weldability of structural steel, improves the durability and plasticity of the material, prevents the weld corrosion. Niobium additive is added during steel melting by adding ferroniobium to the burden.
Niobium-alloyed materials are used in aircraft and spacecraft engineering, nuclear energetics, chemical engineering.
Prices
Ferroniobium prices, the latest information on available grades and semi-finished products are given in Cost section.