Tantalum

Tantalum (Ta) – Semi-Finished Products, Alloys and Custom Components Ex Stock

Tantalum (chemical symbol Ta, atomic number 73) is a grey, lustrous, very hard yet ductile heavy metal from the vanadium group. It can be easily formed and welded, is one of the high-melting metals (melting point just under 3,000 °C) and is resistant to almost all acids except hydrofluoric acid. It is also characterised by a high absorption capacity for hydrogen and nitrogen. In nature, tantalum occurs exclusively bound together with the chemically related niobium.

Tantalum – Versatile, Yet Very Precise

On Earth, tantalum is considered a rare element: the continental crust has a content of 2 ppm, and the Earth's crust as a whole 8 ppm. In the solar system, tantalum is even one of the rarest stable elements.

Nevertheless, tantalum is used in many fields. More than half of the tantalum mined worldwide is used to build very small, high-capacity tantalum capacitors – primarily in mobile phones and in the automotive industry. Tantalum is also used for medical implants, as it is non-toxic and extremely biocompatible. With a melting point of just under 3,000 °C and its exceptional corrosion resistance, tantalum also finds numerous applications in industry: in electrical engineering, chemistry, high-temperature furnace construction, evaporation plants and nuclear technology.

Tantalum Alloys Provide Durability

Due to its stable properties, tantalum is used in several alloys. In the chemical industry, alloys of tantalum and tungsten can be used to line not only reaction vessels but also heat exchangers and pumps. So-called superalloys, used in the construction of aircraft turbines, often contain up to 9% tantalum. Tantalum is also added as an alloying element to rust- and acid-resistant steels, while tantalum carbide is used to produce hard metal. In general, the addition of tantalum increases the strength and resilience of the material.

Tantalum vs. Niobium

Tantalum and niobium are in the same group of the periodic table and always occur together in nature. The most striking difference is density: at 16.65 g/cm³, tantalum is roughly twice as heavy as niobium (8.57 g/cm³) and has the significantly higher melting point. In terms of application, tantalum is dominated by capacitor manufacturing, while niobium is mainly in demand as a steel-alloying element and superconductor.

Get Tantalum from E.WAGENER – Pure or as a Component

As a special service, you get tantalum from E.Wagener tailored precisely to your individual application. Whether 90%, 95% or >99% pure tantalum – we supply it to you as powder or raw stock. If your requirements are more specific, we can also process it directly into blocks, rods, wires or even foils or sheets. E.WAGENER even produces special custom components to your specifications. Our years of accumulated know-how in working with tantalum ensures precise manufacturing and the highest quality.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tantalum

What is tantalum?

Tantalum is a grey, lustrous, highly corrosion-resistant heavy metal from the vanadium group with a melting point of just under 3,000 °C.

What is tantalum mainly used for?

More than half of the tantalum mined worldwide is used for tantalum capacitors in mobile phones and in the automotive industry. Other areas of use include electrical engineering, chemical plant construction and medical technology.

Is tantalum toxic?

No, tantalum is considered non-toxic and extremely biocompatible, which is why it is used, among other things, for medical implants.

What is the difference between tantalum and niobium?

Both metals occur together in nature. Tantalum is roughly twice as dense as niobium and has the higher melting point; niobium is easier to process and is used, among other things, as a steel-alloying element.

In which forms does E.WAGENER supply tantalum?

E.WAGENER supplies tantalum in 90%, 95% and over 99% purity as powder, raw stock, or processed into blocks, rods, wires, sheets and foils.