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1–4 It is possible to combine these elements, both with other materials and with each other, to create a wide range of high-performance refractory metal compounds and alloys, which are fundamental to several industries.
This article examines the main applications of refractory metals and the range of compounds and alloys in which they are used.
Aerospace and Defense
The defense and aerospace industries require materials with superior thermal and mechanical durability. For defense and aerospace applications, refractory metals are an essential class of materials as they supply a foundation for strength retention to temperatures as high as 2200°C.
Niobium is especially useful for applications in aerospace because of its comparatively low density, which is equivalent to that of nickel.