Other applications of tantalum and proportion of application allocation

The current annual global consumption of tantalum (tantalum metal> is approximately 900 tons. The electronics industry is the largest and most promising application area for Tantalum, accounting for an estimated 66% of total consumption. The second application area is the cutting tool industry, which accounts for 22% of total consumption. Tantalum is used as a high-temperature strengthening additive for superalloys, accounting for 6% of total consumption. Tantalum and tantalum alloys are used in chemical equipment such as valves, heat exchangers and insert heaters in the chemical sector, accounting for 3% of consumption. As a biomaterial, tantalum has excellent compatibility with human body fluids, and is used in thoracic surgery to close blood vessels and arteries without allergic reactions, and in craniotomy to close holes in the skull and other medical fields, accounting for about 1% of the tantalum consumption. The other 2 per cent is used for military purposes.