What is Niobium Wire
Question:
I have found a bracelet that calls for coiled niobium wire. What is niobium wire? Does it come coiled? And if not, is it hard to coil?
I have found a bracelet that calls for coiled niobium wire. What is niobium wire? Does it come coiled? And if not, is it hard to coil?
Instructions
Answer:
I've seen niobium wire around for years, but hadn't worked with it so I did some deep research and compiled the essentials for you:
Niobium (also known as Columbium) is a metallic element, symbol Nb, atomic number 41, discovered in 1801.
It's rare in its natural state and has a shiny, gray, soft appearance.
Its first commercial use was in incandescent light filaments, though it was later replaced by tungsten due to its melting point.
In the 1920s, it was discovered that small amounts of niobium could significantly strengthen steel still its primary use today.
It's also used in superconductive alloys for products like MRI machines and particle accelerators.
In Jewelry Making
Price: As of 2009, it was priced similarly to sterling silver.
Properties: Hypoallergenic, hard, lightweight.
Colors: Comes in many shades due to anodizing, a process that thickens the oxide layer on the metal.
Durability: The anodized coating can scratch easily, especially with tool use, frequent wear, or rough storage.
Note: Heavier gauge wires may change color when bent, especially in darker tones likely due to heat during manipulation.
Jewelry makers say niobium handles similarly to half-hard sterling silver.
If your pattern refers to "coiled" niobium wire, it likely means you'll need to coil it yourself, as pre-coiled niobium doesn't appear to be commercially available.
Answer contributed by Dale 'Cougar' Armstrong
I've seen niobium wire around for years, but hadn't worked with it so I did some deep research and compiled the essentials for you:
Niobium (also known as Columbium) is a metallic element, symbol Nb, atomic number 41, discovered in 1801.
It's rare in its natural state and has a shiny, gray, soft appearance.
Its first commercial use was in incandescent light filaments, though it was later replaced by tungsten due to its melting point.
In the 1920s, it was discovered that small amounts of niobium could significantly strengthen steel still its primary use today.
It's also used in superconductive alloys for products like MRI machines and particle accelerators.
In Jewelry Making
Price: As of 2009, it was priced similarly to sterling silver.
Properties: Hypoallergenic, hard, lightweight.
Colors: Comes in many shades due to anodizing, a process that thickens the oxide layer on the metal.
Durability: The anodized coating can scratch easily, especially with tool use, frequent wear, or rough storage.
Note: Heavier gauge wires may change color when bent, especially in darker tones likely due to heat during manipulation.
Jewelry makers say niobium handles similarly to half-hard sterling silver.
If your pattern refers to "coiled" niobium wire, it likely means you'll need to coil it yourself, as pre-coiled niobium doesn't appear to be commercially available.
Answer contributed by Dale 'Cougar' Armstrong
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- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): Design
Dale Armstrong
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