Ferroniobium

Ferroniobium is a ferroalloy composed primarily of iron and niobium. In typical commercial grades, niobium content is around 60 to 70 percent by weight, with the remainder consisting of iron and small amounts of impurities such as carbon, silicon, sulfur, and oxygen. It is supplied in various forms, including ingots, lumps, briquettes, or granules, designed for addition to molten steel.

Production of ferroniobium involves reducing niobium-bearing concentrates with iron, usually in electric arc furnaces, or by other reduction routes. The product is manufactured for direct use in steelmaking and is distributed to steel producers for integration through ladle addition or other melting practices.

In steelmaking, ferroniobium serves as a source of niobium for microalloying. Niobium forms carbide or carbonitride precipitates, which inhibit austenite grain growth during thermal processing and provide precipitation strengthening. This leads to improved yield strength, tensile strength, and creep resistance, while often maintaining or enhancing toughness and weldability in many steel grades.

Applications and market role reflect niobium’s value as a strengthening element in high-strength low-alloy steels, pipeline steels, structural steels, and certain automotive and industrial components. The use of ferroniobium is influenced by niobium prices and steelmaking practices, with grades and addition rates tailored to specific performance requirements.