[Supplier] Fine Niobium Wire Wanted

Jewelry Discussion
1

Reactive Metals is unfortunately no longer able to supply me
with the fine 28ga annealed niobium wire I’ve been using for
crocheting and knitting. Reactive has been a good and reliable
supplier over the many years we’ve used them, but closing out
this particular gauge wire is a tragedy for me!

I need a new supplier of:

28ga niobium wire, must be annealed.

Any help appreciated.

Thank you.
Ruth

B r i a n =A0 A d a m R u t h B a i r d J e w e l l e r y
http://www.adam.co.nz ph/fx +64 9 817 6816 NEW ZEALAND

2

HI I think Metaliferous in NY NY on 46th st. sells it. I know
its eazy to draw out with a draw plate and very easy to anneal,
its almost like silver.

Good luck
Sayvor

3

Thanks, but are you serious, Sayvor? Annealing niobium in the
studio workshop? Have you tried it? I heat niobium to red to give
it a blackened surface, and this surface is harder than the
metal.

Reactive Metals is only able to offer 40,000 feet of 28ga
niobium. I’m guessing that this is going to be too much cost for
me and Ruth.

Still wanting an alternative source of annealed 28ga niobium
wire, 100s of feet on a reel.

Thanks.
Brian
B r i a n =A0 A d a m R u t h B a i r d J e w e l l e r y
http://www.adam.co.nz ph/fx +64 9 817 6816 NEW ZEALAND

4

Drawing it is indeed easy, if you’ve got carbide draw plates.
It will cause rapid wear on steel ones, and is a bit “sticky” to
draw as well, making really fine wire a bit tricky to draw
sometimes. And it work hardens only slowly. But annealing it
requires heating it under a high vaccuum or in a completely inert
gas atmosphere, not something most of us are equipped to do.
It’s not called a “reactive” metal for nothing… Normal torch
annealing or a normal furnace environment will cause a very
thick, essentially destructive oxide layer to form. Not too much
good after that when you’re talking about wanting a 28 guage
annealed wire, presumably capable of being anodized to desired
colors… As to it’s comparison with silver, I’d say it’s a good
deal different. Tougher, stiffer, harder to work in general.
Silver is a VERY plastic and malleable metal. Niobium isn’t
quite so simple to work. And compare the effort it takes to
polish the stuff sometime. Niobium is every bit as much work,
if not a bit more work, as polishing platinum, when you need a
really good finish.

Peter Rowe