A soft ductile grey-blue metallic transition element; a.n. 41; r.a.m. 92.91; r.d. 8.57; m.p. 2468°C; b.p. 4742°C. It occurs in several minerals, including niobite (Fe(NbO3)2), and is extracted by several methods including reduction of the complex fluoride K2NbF7 using sodium. It is used in special steels and in welded joints (to increase strength). Niobium–zirconium alloys are used in superconductors. Chemically, the element combines with the halogens and oxidizes in air at 200°C. It forms a number of compounds and complexes with the metal in oxidation states 2, 3, or 5. The element was discovered by Charles Hatchett (1765–1847) in 1801. Formerly, it was called columbium.
https://www.webelements.com/niobium/ Information from the WebElements site