My Expertise Is Your Advantage

In my decades of working extensively with Niobium, Vanadium, Tantalum, and other specialty metals, I have learned that these materials offer significant benefits for a wide array of technologies. To learn more, schedule a free consultation with the link below.

Schedule a Free Consult

Hello,
I’m Steven Sparkowich

Steven Sparkowich, PE is a Licensed Professional Metallurgical Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a Graduate Certificate in Welding Engineering from the Ohio State University, and is considered a leading global expert on topics related to niobium and niobium alloys.

Steven has 25+ years of experience working with the refractory metals niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten and rhenium, as well as with the reactive metals titanium, zirconium, and hafnium.

Learn More

Hello,
I’m Steven Sparkowich

Steven Sparkowich, PE is a Licensed Professional Metallurgical Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a Graduate Certificate in Welding Engineering from the Ohio State University, and is considered a leading global expert on topics related to diverse specialty metal applications and supply chain challenges.

Steven has 25+ years of experience working with the refractory metals Niobium, Vanadium, Tantalum, Chromium, Molybdenum, Tungsten and Rhenium, as well as with the reactive metals Titanium, Zirconium, and Hafnium.

Learn More

Top Focus Areas

Offering customized technical, supply chain, and market research services related to specialty metals/alloys, chemicals, compounds, and coatings.

Supply Chain

Global Supply Chain Advisory
Insourcing Assistance
Strategic Stocking

Material Selection

Corrosion & Failure Analysis
Vendor Identification & Vetting
Alternatives to Glass Lined or
Tantalum Lined Equipment

Coatings

Technical & Market Advisory
Vendor Identification & Vetting
CVD, PVD, ALD, Cold Spray,
Roll Bonding, Electroplating

Top Focus Areas

Offering customized technical, supply chain, and market research services related to specialty metals/alloys, chemicals, compounds, and coatings.

Supply Chain

Global Supply Chain Advisory
Insourcing Assistance
Strategic Stocking

Material Selection

Corrosion & Failure Analysis
Vendor Identification & Vetting
Alternatives to Glass Lined or
Tantalum Lined Equipment

Coatings

Technical & Market Advisory
Vendor Identification & Vetting
CVD, PVD, ALD, Cold Spray,
Cladding, Electroplating

How I Help

Would you like to explore the potential and benefits of Niobium for your application, but are having difficulty with reliable sourcing?

Would you like to use Niobium for your application, but don’t have the full-spectrum, in-house resources to explore?

Are you actively using and benefiting from the performance of Niobium for your application, but would like to improve your process and/or troubleshooting?

Have you never considered Niobium as a solution/alternative for your application, but are curious about its benefits?

Would you like to explore the potential and benefits of Niobium for your application, but are having difficulty with reliable sourcing?
Would you like to use Niobium for your application, but don’t have the full-spectrum, in-house resources to explore?
Are you actively using and benefiting from the performance of Niobium for your application, but would like to improve your process and/or troubleshooting?
Have you never considered Niobium as a solution/alternative for your application, but are curious about its benefits?

Would you like to explore the potential and benefits of specialty metals for your application, but are having difficulty with reliable sourcing?

Would you like to use specialty metals for your application, but don’t have the full-spectrum, in-house resources to explore?

Are you actively using and benefiting from the performance of specialty metals for your application, but would like to improve your process and/or troubleshooting?

- Would you like to explore the potential and benefits of specialty metals for your application, but are having difficulty with reliable sourcing?

- Would you like to use specialty metals for your application, but don’t have the full-spectrum, in-house resources to explore?

- Are you actively using and benefiting from the performance of specialty metals for your application, but would like to improve your process and/or troubleshooting?

Services

Customized Services

Including Failure Analysis & Metals Testing, Materials Selection Advice, Market Research, and more…

Learn More

Outside Services

Including Representation in Key Technical Committees, Seminars, Short Courses, and more…

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Niobium Facts

Niobium (Nb), formerly known as Columbium (Cb), is a metal in group VB of the periodic table with atomic number 41, an atomic weight of 92.91, and a density of 8.4 g/m3. Niobium is similar to Tantalum (Ta), however, it is half the density with a significantly lower unit cost.

Niobium is not particularly rare or exotic in that it is the 34th most abundant element in the Earth's crust at an average concentration of 20 pppm. Niobium is mined primarily from the minerals pyrochlore and columbite, in Brazil and to a lesser extent in Canada and central Africa.

Niobium Facts

Niobium (Nb), formerly known as Columbium (Cb), is a metal in group VB of the periodic table with atomic number 41, an atomic weight of 92.91, and a density of 8.4 g/m3. Niobium is similar to Tantalum (Ta), however, it is half the density with a significantly lower unit cost.

Niobium is not particularly rare or exotic in that it is the 34th most abundant element in the Earth's crust at an average concentration of 20 pppm. Niobium is mined primarily from the minerals pyrochlore and columbite, in Brazil and to a lesser extent in Canada and central Africa.

How it Works

1. Contact Us

The best way to get started is by contacting us through our online contact form. Let us know what problems you are trying to solve, or how you think we could help.

2. Request a free 30-minute

When completing the inquiry form, suggest your earliest available dates and times for a web meeting, with consideration that we are located in the Pacific Time Zone (PST/PT).

3. Generate Statement of Work

We can help define your statement of work to fit your project requirements.

Schedule a Free Consult

1. Contact Us

The best way to get started is by contacting us through our online contact form. Let us know what problems you are trying to solve, or how you think we could help.

2. Request a Free 30-minute Consult

When completing the contact form, suggest your earliest available dates and times for a web meeting, with consideration that we are located in the Pacific Time Zone (PST/PT).