Introduction

Tantalum is a shiny, silvery colored transition metal. It is a chemical element of the 5th group of the periodic system with an atomic number of 73. The 34 isotopes are known from ¹⁵⁵Ta until ¹⁸⁸Ta. The two of these isotopes are stable: ¹⁸⁰Ta and ¹⁸¹Ta. The major sources of Tanatlum are the mineral tantalite [(Fe, Mn)Ta₂O₆] and euxenite (other minerals: samarskite and fergusonite). The unique physical properties of Tantalum and related alloys have found many applications in modern industry.

Physical Properties of Tantalum

Special features of Tantalum

The first relatively pure samples of tantalum were first produced in 1907. Tantalum is a strong, ductile metal that is nearly immune to chemical attack at room temperatures. It can be drawn into a fine wire that is used to evaporate metals, such as aluminum. It has a high melting point and is frequently used as a substitute for platinum, which is more expensive. Tantalum is used to make components for chemical plants, nuclear power plants, airplanes and missiles. Tantalum does not react with bodily fluids and is used to make surgical equipment. Tantalum also does not irritate the body and is used to make surgical sutures as well as implants, such as artificial joints and cranial plates. Tantalum is alloyed with steel to increase steel's ductility, strength and melting point.

Tantalum is a gray, heavy, and very hard metal.

When pure, it is ductile and can be drawn into fine wire, which is used as a filament for evaporating metals such as aluminum.

Tantalum is almost completely immune to chemical attack at temperatures below 150C, and is attacked only by hydrofluoric acid, acidic solutions containing the fluoride ion, and free sulfur trioxide.

Alkalis attack it only slowly.

At high temperatures, tantalum becomes much more reactive.

The element has a melting point exceeded only by tungsten and rhenium.

   Ta (pure Tantalum)

We produce:

Tantalum rod

Tantalum wire

Tantalum plate, tantalum sheet

Tantalum foil

Tantalum Strip

Tantalum seamless tube, tantalum capillary tube/pipe, tantalum seamless tube/pipe

Our technology can provide highpurity tantalum up to 99.99%.

   Applications:

    The main applications of this metal are due to its inert chemical properties, resistance, hardness and ductility; thus, it is used in the production of chemical equipment with resistance to corrosion, or in high temperatures ovens, filaments for light bulbs, canalizations for switches of liquid metals in nuclear reactors, surgical instruments and implants, etc.

    The electrical properties of tantalum oxide made it useful in the production of rectifiers and capacitors. Tantalum carbide is used in the production of sharp instruments, with extreme mechanical resistance and hardness.

    Using of tantalum carbide, TaC, (i.e. one of the hardest man-made substances) as the cutting edges of high-speed machine tools.

   Using of tantalum oxide as the primary ingredient in electronic capacitors and rectifiers, computers, CB (citizens band) radios, smoke detectors, and automobiles.

   Using of tantalum and its alloys in making surgical and dental tools. Surgical and dental equipment, such as that used for bone repair and internal stitching.

    Using of tantalum and its alloys in surgical repairs of human bones (i.e. in skull plates), as foil or wires to connect torn nerves, and as woven gauze to bind up abdominal muscles.

    The manufacture of chemical production equipment that is exposed to highly corrosive conditions. Alloys of tantalum, like the metal itself, are resistance to corrosion and wear.

    Nuclear reactors, aircraft and missile parts, camera lenses, night vision googles.

 Tantalum alloys

Practically only two tantalum's alloy has especial features and can use for specific applications:

97.5% Tantalum; 2.5% Tungsten (Ta2.5W)

This Tantalum’s alloy provides:

low temperature strength

high corrosion resistance

good formability

higher strength

90% Tantalum; 10% Tungsten (Ta10W)

This Tantalum's alloy can use in applications where necessary requirements are high temperatures of up to 2500°C and high strength in a corrosive environment. Also This Tantalum's alloy has approximately twice as large the tensile strength of pure tantalum, herewith, retains tantalum's corrosion resistance and a good tantalum's ductility.