Basic information about Tantalum

Tantalum is a metallic element with atomic number 73 and chemical symbol Ta. The element's corresponding monomers are steel-gray metals.
Tantalum is found mainly in tantalite, which is symbiotic with niobium. Tantalum is moderately hard , ductile, and can be drawn into filamentary foils. Its coefficient of thermal expansion is very small. Tantalum has excellent chemical properties and is highly resistant to corrosion, both in cold and hot conditions, and does not react with hydrochloric acid, concentrated nitric acid or aqua regia. It can be used to make evaporating vessels, etc. It can also be used to make electrodes for electronic tubes, rectifiers and electrolytic capacitors. Medically, it is used to make thin slices or fine threads to mend damaged tissues. Although the corrosion resistance of tantalum is very strong, its corrosion resistance is due to the generation of a stable protective film of tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) on the surface.