Nb, or niobium, is a chemical element with the symbol Nb and atomic number 41. It is a soft, gray metal that is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Niobium is primarily used in the production of high-strength steel and superconducting materials, making it valuable in various industrial applications.
Discovered in 1801 by Charles Hatchett, niobium was initially named columbium. It is found in minerals such as columbite and pyrochlore. Niobium is essential in the aerospace industry and in the manufacturing of superconducting magnets, which are crucial for technologies like MRI machines and particle accelerators.