-
About Tantalum
Tantalum is a rare, hard, blue-gray, lustrous transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant. It is part of the refractory metals group, which are widely used as minor components in alloys. The chemical inertness of tantalum makes it a valuable substance for laboratory equipment, and as a substitute for platinum. Its main use today is in tantalum capacitors in electronic equipment such as mobile phones, DVD players, video game systems and computers. Tantalum, always together with the chemically similar niobium, occurs in the mineral groups tantalite, columbite and coltan (the latter is a mix of columbite and tantalite, though not recognised as a separate mineral species). Tantalum is considered a technology-critical element by the European Commission. As a metal powder, the primary application of tantalum is in the manufacture of electronic parts, especially capacitors and some high-power resistors. Tantalum electrolytic capacitors exploit the propensity of tantalum to form a surface layer of protective oxide, using tantalum powder, pressed into a pellet shape, as one "plate" of the condenser, the dielectric oxide, and the other "plate" as an electrolytic solution or conductive solid. Since the dielectric layer can be very thin (thinner than the equivalent layer in an aluminium electrolytic capacitor, for instance), a small volume of high capacitance can be achieved.
Tantalum is also used to manufacture a variety of alloys with a high melting point, strength, and ductility. It is also used in the manufacture of carbide tools for metalworking equipment and the manufacture of superalloys for components of jet engines, chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, missile parts, heat exchangers, tanks, and vessels. Tantalum can be drawn into fine wires or filaments that are used for evaporating metals such as aluminium because of its ductility. Tantalum is commonly used in making surgical instruments and implants because it prevents attack by body fluids and is non-irritating.Tantalum Specifications
Standards Description ASTM B521 This specification covers tantalum and tantalum alloy seamless and welded tubes. ASTM F560 This specification covers the chemical, mechanical, and metallurgical requirements for unalloyed tantalum plate, sheet, strip, rod, and wire used in the manufacture of surgical implants. ASTM B365 This specification covers unalloyed and alloyed tantalum rod and wire. ASTM B708 This specification covers unalloyed and alloyed tantalum plate, sheet, and strip. Tantalum Grades
Grade Chemical Component %, max C O N H Fe Mo Nb Ni Si Ti W Ta Ta R05200 0.01 0.015 0.01 0.0015 0.01 0.02 0.1 0.01 0.005 0.01 0.05 remainder Ta R05240 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.0015 0.01 0.02 35.0-42.0 0.01 0.005 0.01 0.05 remainder Ta R05252 0.01 0.015 0.01 0.0015 0.01 0.02 0.5 0.01 0.005 0.01 2.0-3.5 remainder Ta R05255 0.01 0.015 0.01 0.0015 0.01 0.02 0.1 0.01 0.005 0.01 9.0-11.0 remainder Ta R05400 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.0015 0.01 0.02 0.1 0.01 0.005 0.01 0.05 remainder Grade Mechanical Properties Demension UTS, PSI(Mpa) min. YS, PSI(Mpa) min. EL(%) min. Ta R05200 ＜0.060 in. thick 4000(276) 30000(207) 20 ≥0.060 in. thick 4000(276) 22000(152） 25 Ta R05240 ＜0.060 in. thick 35000(242） 20000(138） 25 ≥0.060 in. thick 35000(242） 15000(103） 25 Ta R05252 < 0.125 in. thick 4000(276) 30000(207) 20 ≥0.125 in. thick 25000(172） 15000(103） 30 Ta R05255 < 0.125 in. thick 70000(482) 60000(414) 15 ≥0.125 in. thick 70000(482) 55000(379) 20 Ta R05400 ＜0.060 in. thick 30000(207） 30000(207） 20 ≥0.060 in. thick 25000(172） 15000(103） 30
- Top