Chemical properties of Tantalum

Tantalum has excellent chemical properties and is highly resistant to corrosion, both in cold and hot conditions, and does not react to hydrochloric acid, concentrated nitric acid or "aqua regia". However, Tantalum can be corroded in hot concentrated sulfuric acid. Below 150 degrees Celsius, Tantalum will not be corroded by concentrated sulfuric acid, and only reacts at temperatures higher than this.

In 175 degrees of concentrated sulfuric acid for 1 year, the thickness of the corroded 0.0004 mm, tantalum into 200 ℃ sulfuric acid immersion for a year, the surface layer is only damaged 0.006 mm. At 250 degrees, the corrosion rate increased, for each year was corroded thickness of 0.116 mm.

At 300 degrees, the rate of corrosion is more accelerated, immersed in 1 year, the surface was corroded 1.368 mm. In fuming sulfuric acid corrosion rate is more serious than in concentrated sulfuric acid, in 130 degrees of the solution immersed in 1 year, the surface was corroded thickness of 15.6 mm.