About Niobium-Titanium Alloy
Niobium Titanium is a superconducting alloy typically used in superconducting magnets and wires in particle colliders, aerospace components, and other applications. NbTi is available in standard and custom compositions and forms such as wire, sheet, bars, tubing, and sputtering target.
Application of common Niobium Titanium alloys
50%Nb50%Ti is a very important alloy, it is a superconductor at temperatures below 43K. Its alloy wire is usually wrapped in copper.
The most popular application of these Nb-Ti Superconductors in the market is to manufacture Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) scanners used in medical institutions. Nb-Ti alloy (Nb-45% Ti) is used to manufacture light fasteners on aircrafts.
The potential demands for Niobium Superconductors in the future are mainly from nuclear fusion reactors, high-speed maglev trains, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power plants, and the storage and transmission of underground capacity. There might be more complex superconductors (such as high Te superconductors) coming out in the future to compete with Niobium Superconductors.
Nb-55Ti can be used in anti-corrosion engineering. Nb-55Ti is used for high pressure equipment to filter Gold and Nickel in high pressure and
high concentration oxygen environment. Niobium also acts as flame retardant in this environment. Niobium-containing Titanium alloys, such as IMI367, are used in surgical implants, particularly in the production of femoral components for hip repair surgery.
Niobium-titanium (NbTi) is an alloy of niobium and titanium, used industrially as a type II superconductor wire for superconducting magnets, normally as Nb-Ti fibers in an aluminum or copper matrix.
In current market, Niobium-titanium alloy (Nb 46%-48%) is used largely due to its practical value- low magnetic field superconducting properties, excellent and stable mechanical properties, flexible workability and low cost. NbTi is the only superconducting material achieving commercialization and it is up to more than 90% of the usage. Additionally, surgical implants has become a new application for NbTi alloy because of its better biocompatibility, similar density and texture as human bones, good workability, high strength as well as the good environmental adaptation.
Chemical requirements for Nb-Ti48 (wt%, max.)
| Al | C | Cr | Cu | H | Fe | Ni | N | O | Si | Ta | Ti | Nb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.0045 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.015 | 0.1 | 0.01 | 0.25 | 46-48 | Bal. |
* Per ASTM B884-11
Available forms
Tube
Rod and bar
Wire
Custom-made parts
Specifications
ASTM B884-11
Customized specification
Typical application
Superconducting FR cavities
Surgical implants
Nb-50% Ti-50% Introduction
- Nb-50% Ti-50% has good superconductivity, it is used in superconducting industry. It is strong enough to be used in aerospace industry.
- Nb-50% Ti-50% is an alloy consists of niobium and titanium. As for industrial-used, the content of titanium is between 20% and 60%（wt%). The most typical niobium titanium alloy is titanium content 66% (approx. 50% wt%).
- Niobium titanium alloy is an important alloyed superconductor material. Its superconductive transition temperature is 8K to 10K. If other elements are added into the alloy, superconductivity will be improved.
- Niobium titanium alloy is sintered from alloyed powder. We use vacuum electrode arc furnace or electron-beam furnace to melt the alloyed ingots. The niobium titanium alloys can be in various forms such as sheet, bar, wire, or target.
Niobium-Titanium Superconductor Introduction
Niobium tubes, niobium rod and NbTi alloy are applied in superconductor application. Nb tubes of OD 21mm is for MgB2 superconducting wire application.
Mixed powers Mg+Br are put inside the niobium tubes. The Nb tubes are covered by the multiple tubes like Cu & Monel. And the outer Cu & Monel tube play a stabilizer role. After that they should be extruded three or four times. Combined with Cu & Monel tube, Nb tubes and Mg+Br powers, they are finally drawn into diameter 1.0mm MgB2 superconducting wire without disconnection. NbTi alloy of OD 62mm & Nb tube of OD63.5mm & OD38.5mm is for NbTi superconducting wire application. Nb rod is for Nb3Sn superconducting wire application.
Niobium-Titanium Superconductor Application
Niobium titanium superconducting material can be made into a variety of compound practical materials by conventional deformation and heat treatment process.
Used in a 2-8t medium and low magnetic field, the amount of raw materials and manufacturing costs are much lower than other superconductors and other manufacturing technologies. Niobium titanium superconductor is extensively used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnets for modern medical diagnosis. The annual consumption of NbTi superconductivity has reached 1000 tons.
Our Niobium-Titanium alloy products
Our Niobium-Titanium alloy rod, Niobium-Titanium alloy wire, Niobium-Titanium alloy tube products and so on are adapted in superconducting industry.
Please contact us for more information.