Separation of niobium and tantalum by liquid extraction

Niobium, also known as columbium, is one of the new industrial metals likely to play an important role in industrial processing in the near future. Its high melting point (4376°F.) and low cross section for neutron absorption (1.1 barns) make it of special interest to the Atomic Energy Commission. Since tantalum, which invariably accompanies niobium in its ores, has a somewhat higher cross section for neutron absorption (21 barns) there is considerable interest in developing an industrial process for producing tantalum-free niobium. Tantalum itself is a valuable metal because of its high melting point (5160°F.) and its resistance to most corrosive chemicals