Niobium demand for superconductor applications: 1988-98

Niobium applications in applied superconductivity are described for six major categories following an examination of future supply and demand. The applications categories considered are: commercial and industrial uses, physics machines and devices, energy-related applications, transportation, superconducting computer uses, and instrumentation applications. It is concluded that the world superconductor industry is likely to remain very small for the remainder of the century. Consequently, niobium demand for these technologies will also be miniscule in comparison with industries such as steel. However, niobium is plentiful and reserves for mines already in existence are adequate for all uses envisaged for several hundred years. The new high-temperature ceramic superconductors are not likely to have significant impact on this industry in the present century.