Niobium wire is a type of wire processed from high-purity niobium (with a purity of ≥99.95%). Its diameter covers the range of 0.2 to 3.15 millimeters, and it has mechanical properties of tensile strength ≥125MPa and elongation ≥20%. The surface must be free of cracks, burrs and other defects. As a biologically adaptive material, niobium wire can be implanted in the human body for a long time for nerve suture and muscle tissue compensation. It is applied in the industrial field for the manufacturing of high-temperature resistant components such as nozzles of aero engines and elements of nuclear reactors.
Medical implantation: As of 2023, domestic medical institutions have used niobium wires with diameters ranging from 0.05 to 0.15mm to suture ruptured Achilles tendons. The 3-year follow-up after the operation showed that the excellent and good rate of tissue compatibility was 98.7%. Niobium mesh has been used in abdominal hernia repair surgeries. After replacing traditional polypropylene materials, it can reduce the postoperative infection rate.
Aerospace: C-103 niobium alloy wire (containing 89% niobium) is used to manufacture spacecraft components. After being coated with a molybdenum disilicide coating on the surface, it can operate under high-temperature conditions. Data in 2025 shows that a certain type of aero engine uses high-purity niobium wires of grades Nb1 and Nb2 (purity 99.95%) to manufacture structural materials, in compliance with ASTM B 392-98 standard.
In the electronics industry, high-purity niobium wire with a diameter of 0.025mm (purity of 99.95%) is used in the manufacturing of sputtering targets, which can increase the uniformity of semiconductor film thickness to ±1.5%. The niobium wire used in the superconducting acceleration cavity must meet the standard of a residual resistance ratio (RRR) greater than 300. Domestic production lines have already achieved batch supply of such products.
