niobium

ni·o·bi·um  (n-b-m)

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.

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[After Niobe (so called because it is extracted from tantalite).]

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niobium

Noun

Chem a white superconductive metallic element Symbol: Nb[Latin after Niobe (daughter of Tantalus); because it occurred in tantalite]

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niobium  (n-b-m)

Symbol Nb

A soft, silvery, ductile metallic element that usually occurs in nature together with the element tantalum. It is used to build nuclear reactors, to make steel alloys, and to allow magnets to conduct electricity with almost no resistance. 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 Periodic Table.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

niobium - a soft grey ductile metallic element used in alloys; occurs in niobite; formerly called columbium atomic number 41, Nb metal, metallic element - any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc. columbium - a former name for niobium columbite, niobite - a black mineral that is an ore of niobium and tantalum