When you get an MRI scan, the powerful magnet inside the machine is niobium. A niobium-titanium alloy becomes superconducting when cooled and creates a magnetic field tens of thousands of times stronger than a regular magnet. 95% of all MRI scanners in the world run on niobium.
This metal was named after Niobe — a Greek goddess, daughter of Tantalus. Fittingly, niobium and tantalum are so similar that scientists confused them for over 40 years. And 90% of the world's niobium comes from a single country — Brazil, making it one of the most strategically important resources on Earth.
Niobium is the quiet hero of modern infrastructure. Add 0.1% to steel and its strength jumps by 30–40%. That's why niobium steel forms the backbone of gas pipelines, bridges, and car frames. It's lighter, stronger, and cheaper than standard structural steel.
In science, niobium is irreplaceable. The Large Hadron Collider uses thousands of superconducting niobium magnets. And in medicine, niobium is ideal for implants: it causes no allergic reactions, even in people sensitive to nickel.
Niobium is one of the safest metals. It's non-toxic, doesn't irritate skin, and is fully biocompatible — that's why it's implanted into the human body. The only caution: niobium dust can irritate respiratory passages, so a respirator is needed when grinding or machining.
95% of MRI superconducting magnets are made from niobium-titanium alloy. Without niobium, medical imaging would be completely different.
Niobium alloys withstand temperatures above 2,000°C. They're used in rocket engine nozzles by SpaceX and NASA.
Adding just 0.1% niobium to steel boosts strength by 30–40%. Gas pipelines and bridges hold together thanks to niobium.
Brazil controls over 90% of global niobium production, making it one of the most strategically important resources on the planet.
Niobium becomes superconducting at 9.2 K (−264°C) — the highest critical temperature among pure metals.
| Isotope | Mass (u) | Abundance | Half-life | Decay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
93Nb | 92.906378 | 100.00% | stable | — |
Analysis of columbite