Ferroniobium is an important iron-niobium alloy, with a niobium content of 60-70%.
[1] It is the main source for niobium alloying of HSLA steel and covers more than 80% of the worldwide niobium production.
This oxide is mixed with iron oxide and aluminium and is reduced in an aluminothermic reaction to niobium and iron.
The component metals can be purified in an electron beam furnace or the alloy can be used as it is.
[2] The largest producers of ferroniobium are the same as for niobium and are located in Brazil and Canada.