Niobium

Niobium (IPA: /niˈəʊbiəm, ˌnʌɪˈəʊbiəm/), or columbium (IPA: /kəˈlʌmbiəm/) is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Nb and atomic number 41. A rare, soft, gray, ductile transition metal, niobium is found in niobite and used in alloys. The most notable alloys are used to make special steels and strong welded joints. Niobium was discovered in a variety of columbite (now called niobite) and was at first named after this mineral.