Ferroniobium

a ferroalloy consisting of approximately 60 percent Nb (or Nb + Ta), 10–12.5 percent Si, 2–6 percent Al, and 3–8 percent Ti (Fe and impurities constituting the remainder). Ferroniobium is produced through electric-furnace aluminothermy using pyrochlore concentrate or technical niobium pentoxide. It is used in the smelting of structural steel and heatresistant alloys.