Properties of Tantalum

Tantalum is also a rare metal with a steel-gray luster, a melting point of 2980°C and a density of 16.6 g/cm3. Tantalum is similar to niobium in nature and is a very stable chemical element. Only fluorine, hydrofluoric acid, acidic solutions containing fluoride ions and sulfur trioxide can react with Tantalum. It reacts with concentrated alkali solutions at room temperature and is soluble in molten alkalis. Dense tantalum begins to oxidize slightly at 200°C. Tantalum has good low-temperature plasticity, and Tantalum-based alloys remain ductile even at -196°C. Tantalum has a high degree of plasticity. In addition tantalum also has the ability to absorb hydrogen, nitrogen, etc., and is inhaled at 200-300 ℃, high temperature 800-1200 ℃ vacuum conditions and precipitation. In natural conditions, tantalum, niobium, mostly symbiotic, containing tantalum, niobium minerals are: tantalum niobium iron ore and tantalum niobium containing niobium salts of the sand ore. Tin smelting slag is also an important resource for refining tantalum. Classification of tantalum or niobium ore depends on how much tantalum or niobium is contained in the mineral. Tantalum use tantalum can be used as a large capacity, small size, stable performance of solid electrolytic capacitors, used in radar, missiles, supersonic aircraft and electronic computers. But also the manufacture of petrochemical heat exchangers, heaters, concentrators and reactors, tanks, towers, pipes and valves. But also used as electronic emission tubes and high-power electronic tube parts materials. Tantalum alloy can be used as supersonic aircraft combustion chamber and high temperature resistant materials. Tantalum tungsten alloy missile nozzle, at 1650 ℃ still has a strength of 8kg/mm2. Tantalum carbide can be used alone or with other carbides as forging dies, cutting tools, jet engine turbine blades, valves and rocket nozzle coatings. Tantalum carbide hardness and diamond is similar, widely used in the manufacture of cemented carbide. Tantalum can also be used as surgical filler material and artificial bone, can be used as bone plates, screws, magnesium rods and suture pins.