niobium processing | History, Ores, Mining, Extraction ...
In the hydriding process, the impure niobium is crushed into chunks and placed in a furnace, which is evacuated and heated to 800–950 °C (1,450–1,750 °F). Hydrogen is then fed to the furnace and passed over the charge for two to four hours. After hydriding, the niobium is crushed and pulverized to fine powder, which is then reheated and dehydrided in a vacuum to produce niobium powder.