Unlike traditional invar alloys made from two metals, the new pyrochlore magnet consists of four elements: zirconium, niobium, iron, and cobalt. This combination results in an exceptionally low thermal expansion coefficient over a wide temperature range—approximately 3 to 440 K.
Alshafey, M., Megahed, H., El-Hadad, S. et al. Characteristics of cast Ti53.3-xNb10Zr10Ni10Co10Fe6.7Bx compositionally complex alloys. Sci Rep 14, 29713 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78854-w
Adding B increased Young’s modulus from 141 GPa (without B) to 195 GPa and 260 GPa with 5.3 and 10.6 at.%B, respectively. Hardness also increased from 502 to 606 HV with 5.3 at.% B and to 648 HV with 10.6 at.%B. Accordingly, the wear resistance increased with B addition where 10.6 at.%B sample showed the lowest wear rate among the other conditions. However, 5.3 at.% B was nominated as the optimum addition amount due to its notable microstructure homogeneity.
So it's not entirely about Niobium but if it has hardness and compressive strength, that's another application of Niobium that won't go away quickly.
Singh, S., Bai, M., Matthews, A. et al. Critical raw material-free multi-principal alloy design for a net-zero future. Sci Rep 15, 3132 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87784-0
To assess the efficacy of these reduced-CRM MPEAs, we compared the hardness of newly synthesized MPEA with CRM-containing counterparts reported in the literature, particularly those with high-risk critical raw materials like Niobium (Nb) and Tantalum (Ta).
For example, the CoCrFeNb0.309Ni alloy, which includes CRMs Nb and Co exhibits a Vickers hardness of 480 HV. In contrast, our proposed composition, Ti0.01111NiFe0.4Cu0.4 achieves a comparable hardness of 488 HV without using a CRM.
Our objective was not to develop high hardness alloy but to facilitate the development of reduced-CRM multi-principal element alloys (R-CRM-MPEAs). We validated our computational approach through the experimental synthesis of an FCC-phase alloy, Al6.25Cu18.75Fe25Co25Ni2
They only measure hardness, not compressive or tensile strength, nor heat resistance (to thermal expansion), wear rates or use in magnets. The article is more about green steel, possibly for engine use more than construction.
Niobium still likely has some of the best characteristics in nuclear reactors, like melting point, corrosion resistance and low neutron absorption cross-section.
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