60/40 Niobium Nickel

Lead-free2" and Down Lumps Lower Melting Than Pure Niobium Nickel Balance Adds No Foreign Elements Niobium Source for Superalloys

Niobium-nickel master alloy (nominally 60% Nb, 40% Ni) for adding niobium to nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, and welding alloys. 2" and down lumps.

Solidus

2,140°F (1,171°C)

Liquidus

2,330°F (1,277°C)

Density

0.314 lbs/in³ (8.7 g/cm³)

Primary Elements

Nb, Ni

Nominal Composition

0.5% Fe, 1% Al, 41% Ni, 57.5% Nb

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Product Overview

60/40 Niobium Nickel is a master alloy of niobium (columbium) and nickel with a nominal composition of 57.5% Nb, 41% Ni, 1% Al, and 0.5% Fe. Pure niobium melts at about 4,475°F, far above the temperature of a nickel or steel melt, which makes it difficult to dissolve directly. Combining niobium with nickel lowers the melting range to roughly 2,140–2,330°F, so the alloy dissolves readily in molten nickel alloys and steels.

Niobium is a critical strengthening element in nickel-based superalloys such as Alloy 718 and Alloy 625, which are used in jet engines, gas turbines, and oil and gas equipment. It is also used to stabilize stainless steels against intergranular corrosion and is added to welding alloys and hardfacing materials. Because the balance of the master alloy is nickel, it adds no unwanted elements to nickel-based melts.

Supplied as 2″ and down lumps for easy charging into vacuum and air melting furnaces.

Available Forms

2" and Down Lumps

Product Code

CO60NI40

Technical Info

Thermal Properties

Melting Point (Solidus)2,140°F (1,171°C)

Melting Point (Liquidus)2,330°F (1,277°C)

Physical Properties

Density (imperial)0.314 lbs/in³

Density (metric)8.7 g/cm³

Primary ElementsNb, Ni

Lead FreeYes

Key Features

2" and Down LumpsLower Melting Than Pure NiobiumNickel Balance Adds No Foreign ElementsNiobium Source for Superalloys

Solubility Note

Dissolves in molten nickel alloys and steels at normal melting temperatures, suitable for vacuum induction and air melting practice.

Nominal Composition

57.5% Nb
41% Ni
1% Al
0.5% Fe

Pure niobium melts at about 4,475°F, well above nickel alloy and steel melting temperatures, so it dissolves slowly and unevenly. The niobium-nickel master alloy melts at about 2,140–2,330°F and dissolves quickly and completely. For nickel-based superalloys, the nickel balance is already the main element of the melt, so nothing unwanted is added.

Niobium is a key strengthening element in nickel-based superalloys such as Alloy 718 (about 5% Nb) and Alloy 625 (about 3.5% Nb). It is also used to stabilize austenitic stainless steels such as Type 347, in welding wires and electrodes, and in hardfacing alloys.

Divide the niobium required by the niobium content of the master alloy. Using the nominal 57.5% Nb, adding 1 lb of niobium requires 1 ÷ 0.575 = 1.74 lbs of master alloy. Use the actual analysis from the certificate of analysis for production calculations, and account for the nickel the master alloy contributes to the melt.