Niobium Content Research Articles

ELECTRONIC STATES DENSITY, RESISTIVITY, AND PHASE COMPOSITION OF CaTiO3 PEROVSKITE WITH ISOMORPHIC IMPURITY OF NIOBIUM

The application of materials with a perovskite structure has currently become one of the most promising approaches for the development of photovoltaic systems. A method for high-speed synthesis (under 15 minutes) of CaTiO3 perovskite — TiO2 rutile with the possibility of concurrent doping of the product has been developed. The density of electronic states, phase composition features, and resistivity of niobium-doped perovskite (CaTiO3) were investigated. The calculations of the density of electronic states for niobium-doped CaTiO3 have shown that at low concentrations of niobium, the samples exhibit conductivity characteristic of semiconductors. Since niobium has one more valence electron compared to titanium, as the niobium content increases, the Fermi level shifts to the band of free states. This shift of the Fermi level should lead to a change in the nature of the conductivity of doped crystals, eventually transitioning to metallic conductivity at high concentrations of niobium. Composite analysis (СаТіО3+ТіО2) by X-ray diffraction has shown that the use of niobium as a doping element significantly accelerates the CaTiO3 synthesis reaction, and increases the perovskite concentration in the sample. The concentration of CaTiO3 in the sample the with niobium is 83 % vol. at a temperature of 900ºC and at a synthesis time of 5 min, whereas when using a mixture without Nb, the content of perovskite will be only 58 % vol. at a synthesis time of 12 min. X-ray phase analysis methods confirm the formation of a solid solution (doping) Ca(Ti,Nb)O3, resulting in the preparation of samples (СаТіО3+ТіО2) with resistivity inherent to semiconductors.

Effect of Niobium and Oxygen Contents on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of α+β-Type Ti–(5–25)Nb–(0.5–1)O (mass%) Alloys for Biomedical Applications

Effect of Niobium and Oxygen Contents on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of α+β-Type Ti–(5–25)Nb–(0.5–1)O (mass%) Alloys for Biomedical Applications

Microstructural characterization of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V with the addition of β-stabilizer, niobium

This study investigated the influence of beta stabilizer niobium on the microstructure and hardness of Ti-6Al-4V. The relationship between increased the concentration of alloying elements into Ti-6Al-4V is generally associated with an increase in hardness due to solid solution strengthening. The research involved the fabrication of a series of laser engineering net shaping (LENS™) Ti-6Al-4V alloys with varying concentrations of niobium (13%, 20%, and 28%) to determine whether increasing the Nb content has an influence on the concentration of Nb dissolved into Ti-6Al-4V. The microstructures of these alloys were analysed the hardness examined. the results revealed that the solid solution strengthening did not lead to a proportional increase in hardness as expected. Further microstructural examination showed that the alloy with 13% Nb exhibited a distinct microstructure with a higher concentration of un-melted Nb particles, whereas the alloy with 28% Nb had a higher dissolution of Nb into the Ti-6Al-4V. The least percentage of Nb dissolved into the Ti-6Al-4V compared to the addition of 28% Nb. Increased Nb content resulted in a higher percentage of Nb dissolved in Ti-6Al-4V but the lower hardness value. The undissolved Nb did not contribute solid solution strengthening but rather the presence of defects, and features of microstructure are responsible for hindering the ease of plastic deformation.

Effect of Microalloying on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Laser Weld of PHS Steel

The laser welded joint of 2000MPa cold rolled annealed hot pressed steel (PHS) is easy to break during cold rolling. In this paper, the laser welding method is used to butt weld four kinds of PHS2000 with a thickness of 3.5mm. The four kinds of PHS2000 steel are added with elements of 0% Nb, 0.04% Nb, 0.06% Nb + Cr and 0.08% Nb + Cr. The microstructure of the four kinds of welded joints is compared and analyzed. The mechanical properties of the four kinds of joints are compared through hardness test and tensile test. The results show that after adding 0.04% Nb, residual austenite appears in the weld zone and fully quenched zone, the width of columnar crystal decreases, the average hardness of the weld zone decreases from 595HV to 408HV, and the tensile strength increases from 608MPa to more than 800MPa. For chromium containing steel, the increase of niobium content can reduce the size of columnar crystal in weld zone.

ТЕХНОЛОГІЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ОДЕРЖАННЯ СПЛАВІВ ТА ЛІГАТУР СИСТЕМИ TI–ZR–NB–SN В УМОВАХ ЕЛЕКТРОННО-ПРОМЕНЕВОЇ ЛИВАРНОЇ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ

Electron beam casting technology is a unique method for obtaining cast products and semi-finished products from a wide range of titanium alloys. This technology can be very promissing in production of biocompatible titanium alloys for endoprosthesis. A particularly difficult and important task in this context is preparation of Ti-Zr-Nb-Sn system alloys with high strength and low modulus of elasticity. As a result of experimental development of specified alloys melt preparation technological modes, possibility of obtaining complex titanium alloys with a high content of zirconium and niobium was shown. It is also determined, that when the niobium content in the charge is more than 30 % wt. there is a decrease in the concentration of titanium and zirconium in the melt due to their freezing on the walls of the skull. As a result, there is a change in the chemical composition of the melt, the amount of niobium in which can exceed 50 % wt. Maximum amount of tin that can be assimilated in titanium-based melts under EBCT conditions is 5 % wt., and niobium-based melts are twice less. It has been proven that obtaining melts of Ti-Zr-Nb-Sn system with a precise chemical composition, using the chosen method, is a difficult and still unsolved problem, but due to the possibility of melting alloys with a high content of niobium and zirconium in its conditions, this method is effective in the production of master alloys and ingots for the production of powders used as raw materials for additive tmanufacturing. Keywords: titanium alloys for endoprosthesis, foundry production, Ti-Zr-Nb-Sn, electron-beam casting technology.

STUDY OF THE WELDABILITY OF STEELS OF DIFFERENT ALLOYING COMPOSITIONS FOR THE LARGE-DIAMETER PIPES TRANSPORTING HYDROGEN SULPHIDE-CONTAINING GAS

Increased resistance to brittle fracture in any zone of the welded joint is one of the main requirements for quality of steel pipes for transportation of the hydrogen sulphide gas, which determines the relevance of identification of the reasons of the impact toughness decrease of the welded joint area. The purpose of the study was to investigate the microstructure formation features of the seam zone of pipes made of low-carbon steels of different chemical composition. The effect of microstructure of the coarse-grained area of the heat affected zone on toughness of welded joint has been estimated by the laboratory thermal cycling testing complex Gleeble 3180. The samples with cross-section of 10×10×110 mm made of commercially available steel grades 04ХНДБ, 06ГНФБ and 05ХГБ (Russian Standard) with different contents of niobium and manganese were used as material for the research. To eliminate the effect of heating rate and holding time in austenitic region on the microstructure, the simulation was carried out in a cyclic mode with the same heating rate up to 1350 °С and subsequent cooling to 800 °С. The cooling rate in the interval 800–500 °C varied from 2 to 64 °C/s. The microstructure formation of the seam zone was studied by scanning electron microscopy and reflected electron diffraction. Despite the differences in chemical composition, the studied steels showed similar microstructure after simulation of the coarse-grained area of the heat-affected zone. For all the steels an increase in the share of rack bainite and the density of high angle boundaries with increasing cooling rate was found. It was established that at close values of average grain size of ferrite in the samples from steel 04ХНДБ the grain homogeneity is higher due to decrease in size and quantity of the largest grains. In specimens made of 05ХГБ and 06ГНФБ steel grades, the impact toughness of simulated coarse-grained area of the heat affected zone stabilizes at high level due to formation of more favorable dispersed structure when cooling rate increases more than 8 °C/s.

Niobium, Critical Metal, and Progeny of the Mantle

Abstract Niobium is a critical metal in high demand because of technological advances and the supply risk created by the fact that over 90% of its production is by a single country (Brazil). In this paper, we review the geology of the deposits that are currently being mined and other potentially economic deposits as well as develop models for their genesis. With the exception of the Lovozero deposit (Russia), which is hosted by a layered silica-undersaturated alkaline igneous complex, all the deposits that are currently being mined for niobium are hosted by carbonatites, and most of the deposits with economic potential are also hosted by these rocks. Niobium owes its concentration in carbonatites and alkaline silicate rocks to its highly incompatible nature and the small degree of partial melting of the mantle required to generate the corresponding magmas. The primary control on the concentration of niobium to economic levels in alkaline silicate magmas is fractional crystallization, partly prior to but mainly after emplacement. In the case of silica-undersaturated magmas, the final residue saturates in minerals like eudialyte and loparite to form niobium-rich horizons in the layered complexes that crystallize from these magmas. The final residue, in the case of silica-saturated magmas, crystallizes the pegmatites that are the hosts to the economic niobium mineralization, which commonly takes the form of pyrochlore. In contrast, carbonatitic magmas undergo little to no fractional crystallization prior to emplacement. Moreover, fractional crystallization on emplacement has minimal impact on the concentration of niobium to economic levels. Instead, we propose that the metasomatic interaction of the carbonatitic magmas with their hosts to form rocks like phlogopitite (glimmerite) consumes much of the magma, leaving behind a phoscoritic residue from which pyrochlore crystallizes in amounts sufficient to form economic deposits. Although many niobium deposits display evidence of intense hydrothermal alteration, during which there can be major changes in the niobium mineralogy, the extremely low solubility of niobium in aqueous fluids at elevated temperature precludes significant mobilization and, thus, enrichment of the metal by hydrothermal fluids. However, weathering of carbonatite-hosted niobium deposits leads to supergene enrichment (due largely to the dissolution of the carbonate minerals) that can double the niobium grade and make subeconomic deposits economic. Pyrochlore is the principal niobium mineral in these laterite-hosted deposits, although its composition differs considerably from that in the primary mineralization. This paper evaluates the processes that appear to be responsible for the genesis of niobium ores and provides a framework that we hope will guide future in-depth studies of niobium deposits and lead to more effective strategies for their successful exploration and exploitation.

Design of a metal-oxide solid solution for selective detection of ethanol with marginal influence by humidity

Emerging nanotechnologies improved solid-state sensors design and capabilities and enabled the use of semiconducting metal oxides-based gas sensors for new and increasingly demanding applications. Among them, ethanol monitoring is of great interest because it is an important chemical raw material widely used in chemical industry, medicine, paint and cosmetics. Water vapour is the most common interferent during operating conditions, affecting the baseline stability of sensors, and reducing their sensitivity and accuracy. In this work, a strategy based on the formation of stoichiometric solid solutions of Sn, Ti and Nb oxides have been sought to address humidity dependence of sensor signals and to enhance the sensing response vs. ethanol. Powders were synthesised through sol-gel technique, by keeping the Sn:Ti ratio constant at the optimal value for ethanol detection with different Nb concentrations (1.5, 3.5 and 5 at%), and thermally treated at 650 °C and 850 °C. Such solid solutions exploited the good sensitivity of SnO2 towards most analytes and the low cross-sensitivity of TiO2 to humidity. Nb was added to lower the film resistance and to prevent grains coalescence at temperatures required for the formation of the solid solutions and the anatase-to-rutile phase transition. The results show that the niobium concentration and the heating treatment of powders are fundamental parameters to optimise the sensing features of the film towards ethanol monitoring applications and to lower the influence of humidity on its performance.

Nb/Starch-Doped ZnO Nanostructures for Polluted Water Treatment and Antimicrobial Applications: Molecular Docking Analysis.

Nb/starch-doped ZnO quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by a coprecipitation route. A fixed quantity of starch (st) and different concentrations (2 and 4%) of niobium (Nb) were doped in a ZnO lattice. To gain a better understanding of synthesized nanostructures, a systematic study was carried out utilizing several characterization methods. The goal of this research was to undertake methylene blue (MB) dye degradation with a synthetic material and also study its antibacterial properties. The phase structure, morphology, functional groups, optical properties, and elemental compositions of synthesized samples were investigated. Our study showed that ZnO QDs enhanced photocatalytic activity (PCA), resulting in effective MB degradation, in addition to showing good antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative relative to Gram-positive bacteria. Molecular docking study findings were in good agreement with the observed in vitro bactericidal potential and suggested ZnO, st-ZnO, and Nb/st-ZnO as possible inhibitors against dihydrofolate reductase (DHFRE.coli) and DNA gyraseE.coli.

Investigation of Strain-Induced Precipitation of Niobium Carbide in Niobium Micro-Alloyed Steels at Elevated Temperatures

Two steels with a base composition of Fe-0.2C-0.8Mn-1.2Cr (wt%) but with different niobium (Nb) contents (0.02 and 0.03 wt%) were employed to study the effect of precipitate evolution on the softening resistance in the austenite region under elevated temperature deformation. The thermomechanical procedure was executed by a deformation-dilatometer and involved double deformation processes with 25% strain at a 0.25 s−1 strain rate at 900, 925, 950, and 1000 °C. The softening ratios, reflecting the competition between recrystallization and precipitation, were evaluated. The results indicated that both steels showed better softening resistance at 900 °C than at other temperatures. However, the softening ratio of 0.03 wt% Nb-containing steel (Steel 3N) rose after 100 s at 900 °C, while 0.02 wt% Nb-containing steel (Steel 2N) maintained a low softening ratio within 300 s at 900 °C, indicating that Steel 3N was relatively non-durable. A microstructural characterization showed that in the Steel 3N sample deformed at 900 °C, recrystallization occurred more strongly than for Steel 2N after a 1000 s holding time. A follow-up analysis then showed that Steel 3N treated at 900 °C revealed a faster coarsening of the carbides than Steel 2N even in the early stage of precipitation, evidencing that Steel 2N exhibited a lower softening resistance at 900 °C.

Laser Additive Manufacturing of Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened Copper–Chromium–Niobium Alloys

Copper is a key material for cooling of thermally stressed components in modern aerospace propulsion systems, due to its high thermal conductivity. The use of copper materials for such applications requires both high material strength and high stability at high temperatures, which can be achieved by the concept of oxide dispersion strengthening. In the present work, we demonstrate the oxide reinforcement of two highly conductive precipitation-strengthened Cu-Cr-Nb alloys using laser additive manufacturing. Gas-atomized Cu-3.3Cr-0.5Nb and Cu-3.3Cr-1.5Nb (wt.%) powder materials are decorated with Y2O3 nanoparticles by mechanical alloying in a planetary mill and followed by consolidation by the laser additive manufacturing process of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). While dense specimens (>99.5%) of reinforced and nonreinforced alloys can be manufactured, oxide dispersion-strengthened alloys additionally exhibit homogeneously distributed oxide nanoparticles enriched in yttrium and chromium next to Cr2Nb precipitates present in all alloys examined. Higher niobium contents result in moderate increase of the Vickers hardness of approx. 10 HV0.3, while the homogeneously dispersed nanometer-sized oxide particles lead to a pronounced increase of approx. 30 HV0.3 in material strength compared to their nonreinforced counterparts.

An efficient bifunctional Ni-Nb2O5 nanocatalysts for the hydrodeoxygenation of anisole

The anisole is almost completely transformed into cyclohexane by the synthesized Ni-Nb 2 O 5 nanocatalysts following the HYD reaction route. The Ni-Nb 2 O 5 nanocatalysts have been prepared by the sol–gel method, and the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) performance of anisole as model compound is studied. The results show that Nb exists as amorphous Nb 2 O 5 species, which can promote Ni dispersion. The addition of Nb 2 O 5 increases the acidity of the catalyst. However, when the content of niobium is high, there is an inactive Nb-Ni-O mixed phase. The size and morphology of Ni grains in catalysts are different due to the difference of Nb/Ni molar ratio. The Ni 0.9 Nb 0.1 sample has the largest surface area of 170.8 m 2 ·g −1 among the catalysts prepared in different Nb/Ni molar ratios, which is mainly composed of spherical nanoparticles and crack pores. The HDO of anisole follows the reaction route of the hydrogenation HYD route. The Ni 0.9 Nb 0.1 catalyst displayed a higher HDO performance for anisole than Ni catalyst. The selectivity to cyclohexane over the Ni 0.9 Nb 0.1 sample is about 10 times that of Ni catalyst at 220 °C and 3 MPa H 2 . The selectivity of cyclohexane is increased with the increase of reaction temperature. The anisole is almost completely transformed into cyclohexane at 240 °C, 3 MPa H 2 and 4 h.

Surface acid properties of Nb2O5–P2O5–SiO2 gel-derived catalysts

Amorphous catalytic materials belonging to the Nb2O5–P2O5–SiO2 system were prepared through an original sustainable sol-gel procedure, and characterized by surface area, porosity and acidity measurements. Their acid properties have been investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine, ammonia titration and TPR, as well as by titration with 2-phenylethylamine from organic solution. They present Lewis acidity attributed to niobium surface cationic centers, and Brønsted acidity sufficiently strong to protonate pyridine. The total acidity depends on the niobium content. The conversion of ethanol was investigated by vapor phase Temperature Programmed Reaction, steady-state catalytic experiments and static In Situ FTIR experiments. The samples are active in converting ethanol to ethylene with 100% selectivity at low conversion (523–573 K), but also produce acetaldehyde by dehydrogenation at higher temperature and conversion. They show an unusually poor activity for the production of diethylether also at low ethanol conversion. Ethoxy groups act as reaction surface intermediates.

Optimized design and key performance factors of a gas circulation filtration system in a metal 3D printer

To further improve the quality of parts in metal 3D printers, it is necessary to optimize the structure and study the performance of their gas circulation filtration systems. First, we used the parametric modeling method to complete the formed cavity modeling. We then optimized the design of the air inlet structure of the formed cavity using the moldflow simulation method, and finally, we evaluated the optimized design results through assembly experiments and measurements of the molded parts’ components. The combination of parametric modeling and moldflow simulation methods produced a high modeling efficiency and had a good effect on the optimized design of the gas circulation filtration systems. After optimizing the design, the turbulence intensities and distribution areas of the formed cavities were reduced. During the 3D printing of the curved guide plate, the plane of the guide plate holder was inclined 55° relative to the machining datum plane, which improved the form quality. The 3D printed curved guide plate closely matched the inlet end of the printer’s air duct, and the upper guide plate was fixed at a suitable position using screws. The niobium contents of the parts formed by the guide plate in Design 2 were low, which lays a foundation for the 3D printing of high-performance metal parts.

Compositional evolution of zirconium and niobium in the process of high-temperature nitridation of Zr–Nb alloys

The mechanism of formation of zirconium nitride-based ceramics in the single-stage high-temperature nitridation of Zr–Nb alloys with different niobium contents (0.1–10 at%) in a wide temperature range was determined using an oxidative constructing approach. In the process of nitridation, the segregation of a metallic niobium phase occurred with the subsequent formation of NbN. This should be taken into account when producing new high-temperature materials with unique functional properties

Microstructure, mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and antibacterial behavior of Ti–5Cu–x%Nb biomedical alloy

Titanium-based biomedical alloys are susceptible as they are used as a substitute for human bone. In this study, titanium alloy, Ti–5Cu–x%Nb (x = 0, 5, 10, 15) (%wt) was developed by powder metallurgy route. The effect of alloying niobium with Ti–5Cu alloy and its effect on the microstructure, mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and antibacterial properties have been evaluated. The results show that the sintered alloy has both α-Ti and Ti2Cu phases. With increasing niobium content in the alloy, β-Ti was also detected. Additionally, it was found that the micro-hardness and compressive strength of the studied alloy was better than commercially pure titanium (cpTi), while the Young’s modulus was lower than cpTi. These properties are highly favorable for using this alloy to replicate the human cortical bone. The alloy was also tested for anticorrosive property in Ringer’s solution. The antibacterial activity was also examined for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. The alloy showed promising anticorrosive and antibacterial ability.

Effect of Niobium Content on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Simulated Coarse-Grained Heat-Affected Zone (CGHAZ) of High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) Steels.

The effect of Nb-content and heat input rate on the mechanical properties and microstructure of simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA) was investigated. While using a low heat input (20 kJ/cm), the toughness of simulated CGHAZ was improved by increasing the Nb-content. The maximum toughness was obtained when the Nb-content was 0.110 wt.% and the heat input was 20 kJ/cm. The samples made at this condition had fine martensite/austenite (M/A-constituent), acicular ferrite and refined austenite grains. As the heat input was increased to 200 kJ/cm, the toughness of simulated CGHAZ was significantly decreased irrespective of the Nb-content because of the formation of coarse austenite grains, low angle grain boundaries, and massive M/A-constituents.

Weld defects and precipitates of deposited metal in 9Ni steel welded joint

Abstract Three kinds of electrode with different niobium contents were developed and compared, and the influence of alloying elements on microstructure and mechanical properties was summarized. Strong carbide elements such as Nb, Ti, and V were added to form stable precipitates. The existence of intercrystalline precipitates leads to pinning and zigzag of grain boundaries, hinders the propagation of cracks, and enhances the low temperature strength and impact toughness of the materials. The No. 1 and No. 2 ENiCrMo-6 electrodes meet the requirements of LNG (liquified natural gas) equipment. The tensile strength of the deposited metal reaches 687 MPa, while the average impact energy at −196°C is 131 J. Owing to fluctuations in the stress concentration at the junction of grain boundaries, cracks may easily form. MC carbide can retard the crack propagation. With the increase of Nb and other alloys, the strength and hardness increase gradually, but the plasticity and toughness are retarded to a certain extent.

Manipulating the carrier concentration and phase transition via Nb content in SrTiO3

SrTiO3 is a model of the perovskite-like compounds for structural transition which inducing the intriguing physical properties around the critical phase transition temperature TAFD (antiferrodistortive, abbrev. as AFD). Here we report that the electrical transport behavior is a new way to quantify Nb concentration for Nb-doped SrTiO3. The lattice parameter (c), phase transition temperature (TAFD), and the carrier concentration (n) of SrTiO3 may be manipulated by niobium doping. TAFD increases with increasing the niobium content in a rate of about 30 K per (wt%, i.e. niobium element’s weight verses total weight) niobium and n in a rate of about 2.5 times 1020/cm3 per (wt%) niobium.

Potential for obtaining and applying complex niobium ferroalloys

This paper provides information regarding the application of niobium in industry and the scale of its production in the world and the Russian Federation. Most of the niobium deposits in Russia consist of pyrochlore, apatitepyrochlore and columbitepyrochlore types of ores. They contain a significant amount of phosphorus. Therefore, all enrichment schemes for these ores contain a dephosphorization stage which increases the price of the product and reduces the degree of niobium extraction. The paper explores the possibility of improving the end-to-end production scheme: niobium ore – beneficiation – niobium ferroalloy. The bulk of ferroniobium is intended for steel microalloying and can be replaced by complex ferroalloys with a reduced niobium content. The paper considers the issues of obtaining complex niobium ferroalloys from a rough concentrate with a weak content of niobium. It has been established that the addition of 25 – 40 % of silicon or 12 – 30 % of aliminum to the twocomponent metal system Fe – Nb causes the transfer of niobium ferroalloys (15 – 20 % Nb) from the refractory category to lowmelting materials. The crystallization temperatures are less than 1400 °C. The substantiation of using a complex niobium ferroalloy instead of ferroniobium is given. This alloy has reduced niobium content and increased silicon or aluminum content. Higher service characteristics of the complex ferroalloy are noted in comparison with ferroniobium (temperature of the initiation of crystallization and density). They indicate an increased assimilation of niobium when using a complex ferroalloy for steel microalloying. The paper presents data on the possibility of dephosphorization of niobium concentrates in the process of pyrometallurgical production of a complex ferroalloy. An improved scheme for the production of niobiumcontaining ferroalloys is proposed. This consists of the use of niobium concentrate for melting the intermediate ferroalloy containing a reduced concentration of niobium oxides and an increased concentration of silicon (aluminum). This ferroalloy can be used effectively for steel microalloying with niobium.