Niobium and Anodizing
ABOUT NIOBIUM
Niobium is a rare, precious metal that is very strong, light and corrosion resistant. Niobium got its name from the Greek myth about Niobe the Queen Thebes, who turned to stone while weeping for her children. Niobium is hypoallergenic and bio-compatible, so it is used in medical implants. Niobium has been used in space crafts and to create superconductive magnets. Niobium is one of very few reactive metals that can undergo the anodizing process.
THE ANODIZING PROCESS
Anodizing permanently coats and colors the niobium in a myriad of beautiful, rich colors. Each piece is hand anodized, so no two pieces are alike. An environmentally friendly, electrolytic process is used to anodize niobium. The metal is dipped in an electrolyte (phosphate free soap and water) solution and then an electrical current is applied to the metal. The different colors are achieved by using different electrical voltages on the metal while it is in the electrolyte solution. The process creates a thick, durable, permanent coating (oxide) on the metal that will never rub off, tarnish or fade. (The coating is oxidization, not a dye, paint or enamel).
Niobium is a rare, precious metal that is very strong, light and corrosion resistant. Niobium got its name from the Greek myth about Niobe the Queen Thebes, who turned to stone while weeping for her children. Niobium is hypoallergenic and bio-compatible, so it is used in medical implants. Niobium has been used in space crafts and to create superconductive magnets. Niobium is one of very few reactive metals that can undergo the anodizing process.
THE ANODIZING PROCESS
Anodizing permanently coats and colors the niobium in a myriad of beautiful, rich colors. Each piece is hand anodized, so no two pieces are alike. An environmentally friendly, electrolytic process is used to anodize niobium. The metal is dipped in an electrolyte (phosphate free soap and water) solution and then an electrical current is applied to the metal. The different colors are achieved by using different electrical voltages on the metal while it is in the electrolyte solution. The process creates a thick, durable, permanent coating (oxide) on the metal that will never rub off, tarnish or fade. (The coating is oxidization, not a dye, paint or enamel).