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What are niobium reguli?

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niobium processing Four one-millimetre thick samples of niobium metal foil.

Niobium reguli are impure metallic globules produced during the processing of niobium. They are formed when niobium pentoxide is reduced through an aluminothermic process, similar to the method used in the production of ferroniobium.1

Because these reguli are considered impure, they typically undergo further processing to achieve higher purity levels. This can include purification via electron-beam melting to create ingots, or they may be subjected to a hydriding and dehydriding process to produce niobium powder.1