Niobium (Nb), named after a Greek mythology figure Niobe, is a gray-shining heavy metal. It is resistant to high acids and has properties similar to tantalum. The melting point is at 2.447° C. It is characterized by high heat resistance. Niobium and tantalum are together as ore and have to be separated by an industrial process. This is possible because both metals have a different solubility. The largest producer of this metal is Brazil with a share of up to 90% of world production. Over 80% of the worldwide niobium production is used as an alloying additive for steel and super alloys.