niobium

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niobium (symbol Nb) Shiny grey-white metallic element of the second transition series. Its chief ore is pyrochlore. Soft and ductile, niobium is used in special stainless steels and in alloys for rockets and jet engines. It was discovered in 1801 by the English chemist Charles Hatchett (1765–1847) who named it columbium; the name was changed to niobium in 1844. Properties: at.no. 41; r.a.m. 92.9064; r.d. 8.57; m.p. 2468°C (4474°F); b.p. 4742°C (8568°F); most common isotope Nb93 (100%).

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