Characteristic
Niobium carbide (NbC and Nb2C) is an extremely hard refractory ceramic material, commercially used in tool bits for cutting tools. It is usually processed by sintering and is a frequent additive as grain growth inhibitor in cemented carbides. It has the appearance of a brown-gray metallic powder with purple lustre. It is highly corrosion resistant.
Chemical formula:NbC
Molar mass:104.917 g/mol
Density:7.820 g/cm3
Melting point:3,608 °C (6,526 °F; 3,881 K)
Crystal structure:Cubic, cF8
Application
As carbide carbide additives, it is ternary and quaternary carbide solid solution components, such as wc-nbc-c ternary series.Also can make purple artificial gem.