C103 Niobium - AMS 7852, ASTM B654, UNS R04295

C103 Niobium plate is a high-performance refractory alloy primarily composed of niobium with hafnium and titanium additions. Engineered for extreme environments, this material delivers exceptional strength at elevated temperatures, outstanding thermal conductivity, and superior resistance to vibration and thermal shock. Supplied in an annealed condition, C103 offers high ductility, excellent weldability, and corrosion resistance, making it a reliable choice for aerospace and propulsion systems where precision and durability are critical.

With the ability to withstand temperatures up to 1480°C (2700°F) without losing structural integrity, C103 is widely used in rocket propulsion components, spacecraft structures, and defense applications. Its unique combination of thermal stability and mechanical strength ensures consistent performance under severe operating conditions, making it a preferred material for industries that demand uncompromising reliability in high-temperature environments.

Advanced Inventory Size Ranges for C103 Niobium

Type	Size Range	Specifications	Get a Quote
Build Platform	0.500" - 5.000"	AMS 7852, ASTM B654, R04295	Get a Quote
Feedstock	1.37" - 5.90"	AMS 7852, ASTM B655, R04295	Get a Quote

Ideal for Additive Manufacturing Build Platforms & Feedstock

In Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) systems, platform stability and thermal resistance are critical for part integrity and dimensional accuracy. C103 Niobium offers exceptional high-temperature strength, outstanding thermal conductivity, and excellent resistance to vibration and thermal shock, ensuring a stable surface through repeated thermal cycles in extreme environments. Delivered in an annealed condition, C103 provides superior ductility and weldability, making it an excellent choice for industries where precision, durability, and heat resistance are essential—such as aerospace, space, and defense applications.

Why Choose United Performance Metals?

At United Performance Metals, we manufacture C103 Niobium Build Platforms and Feedstock to exacting standards, offering:

Extreme Heat Resistance: Maintains structural integrity up to 1480°C (2700°F) for demanding thermal cycles.
Dimensional Stability: Resists distortion under high thermal and mechanical stress.
Excellent Weldability & Machinability: Enables precision finishing for optimal powder bed performance.
Custom Sizes & Feedstock Options: Available for PBF machine platforms and additive manufacturing powder requirements.
High-Performance Alloy: Engineered for aerospace and space propulsion environments.

Other industry standards we comply with:

Common Trade Names

C103
Niobium – C103

Industry Applications for C103 Niobium

Rocket Nozzles
Steering Nozzles for Missiles
Satellites
Jet Engine Afterburner Flap Sections
Bursts Discs for Jet Engine Test Stands

Chemical Composition

	Element	Min	Max
Hf	Halfnium	9.0	11.0
Ti	Titanium	0.7	1.3
C	Carbon	-	0.015
O	Oxygen	-	0.025
N	Nitrogen	-	0.010
H	Hydrogen	-	0.0015
Zr	Zirconium	-	0.70
W	Tungsten	-	0.50
Ta	Tantalum	-	0.50
Nb	Niobium	Balance

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	8.85 g/cm³
Melting Point	2350 ± 50°C
Thermal Conductivity	~41.9 W/m·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion	8.1 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Working Temperature Range	1100–1450°C

Mechanical Properties

Condition	Tensile (MPa)	Yield (MPa)	Elongation
Room Temperature	370–386	260–276	≥ 20%
At 1100°C (2000°F)	145	110	≥ 20%

Additional Info

A Brief History of C103 Niobium

C103 Niobium, commonly referred to as C‑103, Nb‑103, or Niobium‑10Hf‑1Ti, is a high‑performance refractory alloy originally developed for aerospace and propulsion systems requiring exceptional strength, thermal stability, and ductility under extreme heat. Comprising approximately 89% niobium, 10% hafnium, and 1% titanium, C103 was designed to withstand the most demanding environments found in liquid‑fuel rocket engines, space propulsion systems, hypersonic vehicles, and high‑temperature structural applications. Its unique combination of lightweight density, high melting point (~2468°C), and excellent formability and weldability made it one of the foundational materials for rocket nozzle extensions, combustion chambers, and propulsion hardware throughout the spaceflight era.

How C103 Niobium Was Developed

As propulsion systems evolved, metallurgists sought a material offering higher temperature capability than steels and nickel‑based superalloys, but with significantly better ductility and workability than pure refractory metals such as tungsten or tantalum. The solution was C103—a niobium‑base alloy strengthened with hafnium and titanium to improve high‑temperature strength, creep resistance, and thermal stability. Its low ductile‑to‑brittle transition temperature (around –150°C) also gave the alloy excellent cryogenic toughness, making it suitable for launch vehicle and spaceflight environments where components may experience both cryogenic temperatures and extreme heat. C103 quickly became the material of choice for rocket engine components, especially in radiatively cooled rocket nozzles and reaction control thrusters.

Early Applications of C103 Niobium

Because of its ability to maintain structural integrity under rapid heating, extreme thermal gradients, and vibration, C103 found early use in:

Rocket engine nozzles and nozzle extensions
Thrusters and reaction control system (RCS) components
Combustion chambers and hot‑gas ducts
Hypersonic flight structures and afterburner hardware
Aircraft and satellite components exposed to cryogenic and high‑temperature extremes

Its combination of high‑temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and ductility made C103 one of the most widely adopted refractory alloys in aerospace, propulsion, and defense technologies.

How C103 Niobium Is Used Today

Today, C103 remains a critical material for advanced aerospace and spaceflight systems, but its capabilities have expanded significantly with the rise of additive manufacturing (AM).

With temperature capabilities exceeding 3300°F (1800°C) in certain conditions and excellent weldability and fabrication potential, C103 remains one of the most versatile refractory alloys available.

Your Trusted Supplier for C103 Niobium

United Performance Metals provides C103 Niobium in both feedstock and build‑platform forms engineered for advanced additive manufacturing environments. Our offerings include C103 in feedstock and build platforms for propulsion and research applications. With deep experience supplying aerospace, propulsion, hypersonics, and additive manufacturing markets, UPM delivers C103 solutions cut to your exact specifications, backed by FIRSTCUT+® processing, technical support, and reliable supply chain partnerships.Contact our team today to learn how C103 feedstock, powder, or build platforms can enhance your next propulsion, spaceflight, or additive manufacturing program.

Product FAQs

C103 is a refractory niobium‑based alloy typically composed of ~89% Nb, 10% Hf, and 1% Ti, engineered for extreme high‑temperature aerospace/propulsion applications (nozzles, thrusters, hot‑gas structures). The Hf/Ti additions raise high‑temperature strength and creep resistance while retaining niobium’s ductility and weldability.

C103 Niobium is widely used in aerospace, space propulsion, hypersonics, and advanced defense systems, thanks to its exceptional high‑temperature strength, thermal stability, and ductility. The alloy is a top choice for rocket engine nozzles, nozzle extensions, combustion chambers, and thrusters, where components must withstand extreme heating and rapid thermal cycling. It also performs reliably in reaction control systems (RCS), satellite propulsion hardware, and jet engine hot‑section parts. In modern manufacturing, additive‑manufactured C103 is increasingly used for complex propulsion geometries, heat shields, and AM build platforms due to its improved strength, reduced lead time, and enhanced design flexibility.