Tantalum

Tantalum

Tantalum is also famous for its resistance to corrosion by acids. In fact, below 150°C, tantalum is almost completely immune to corrosion by aqua regia. Due to its resistance to attack by body fluids, tantalum provides excellent material for medical devices. Tantalum has good thermal conductivity and is used to manufacture heating elements, vacuum tubes, and other high-temperature parts. Another significant use of tantalum is for electronic components, and due to its absorption properties, tantalum is an excellent getter of residual gasses in evacuation tubes. Tantalum films provide very high capacitance per volume allowing miniaturization of electronics and circuitry. Tantalum capacitors are used in computers and cellular phones.

Physical Properties of Tantalum

Tantalum Physical Properties
Density	lb/in3	0.6
	gm/cm3	16.6
Melting Point	°F	5425
	°C	2996
Thermal Conductivity	Cal/cm2/cm°C/sec	0.13
Specific Heat	Cal/gm/°C	0.036
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion	micro-in/°F x 10-6	6.5
	micro-in/°C x 10-6	3.6
Electrical Resistivity	micro-ohm-cm	12.4

Mechanical Properties of Tantalum

Tantalum Mechanical Properties
Tensile Strength	KSI (Mpa)-RT	250 (1725)
	KSI (Mpa)-500°C	150 (1035)
	KSI (Mpa)-1000°C	75 (515)
Elongation	% in 1.0".	--
Hardness	DPH	300
Modulus of Elasticity	KSI	58000
	Gpa	400

Tantalum Chemistry
Minimum % 99.99

Chemical Behavior of Tantalum

Tantalum Chemical Behavior
Water	Hot water < 150 °C	resistant
Inorganic Acids	Hydrochloric acid < 30 % up to 190 °C	resistant
	Sulfuric acid < 98 % up to 190 °C	resistant
	Nitric acid < 65 % up to 190 °C	resistant
	Hydrofluoric acid < 60 %	not resistant
	Phosphoric acid < 85 % up to 150 °C	resistant
Organic Acids	Acetic acid < 100 % up to 150 °C	resistant
	Oxalic acid < 10 % up to 100 °C	resistant
	Lactic acid < 85 % up to 150 °C	resistant
	Tartaric acid < 20 % up to 150 °C	resistant
Lyes	Sodium hydroxide < 5 % up to 100 °C	resistant
	Potassium hydroxide < 5 % up to 100 °C	resistant
	Ammonia solutions < 17 % up to 50 °C	resistant
	Sodium carbonate < 20 % up to 100 °C	resistant
Saline Solutions	Ammonium chloride < 150 °C	resistant
	Calcium chloride < 150 °C	resistant
	Ferric chloride < 150 °C	resistant
	Potassium chlorate < 150 °C	resistant
	Body fluids < 150 °C	resistant
	Magnesium sulfate < 150 °C	resistant
	Sodium nitrate < 150 °C	resistant
	Tin chloride < 150 °C	resistant
Non-metals	Fluorine	not resistant
	Chlorine < 150 °C	resistant
	Bromine < 150 °C	resistant
	Iodine < 150 °C	resistant
	Sulfur < 150 °C	resistant
	Phosphorous < 150 °C	resistant
	Boron < 1 000 °C	resistant

Applications of Tantalum

Capacitors, surgical implants and instruments, ink jet nozzles.