Glossary

Tantalum (chemical symbol Ta) is a hard, dense, blue-gray metallic element known for its exceptional corrosion resistance, high melting point, and excellent conductivity. It is one of the refractory metals, meaning it can withstand extremely high temperatures without losing strength or stability. Tantalum’s atomic number is 73, and it sits in Group 5 of the periodic table, alongside niobium (Nb), vanadium (V), and other transition metals with similar properties.

Tantalum is characterized by its high melting point of about 3,017°C (5,463°F), which makes it one of the most heat-resistant metals known. It also exhibits high ductility and toughness, even at low temperatures, and can be easily fabricated into fine wires or thin sheets. Chemically, tantalum is remarkably inert—it does not react with most acids, including hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, and only dissolves in hydrofluoric acid or molten alkalis. This outstanding corrosion resistance is due to the formation of a stable oxide layer (Ta₂O₅) on its surface, which protects it from chemical attack.

Because of these properties, tantalum is widely used in electronics, aerospace, chemical processing, and medical applications. One of its most important uses is in tantalum capacitors, where its oxide layer serves as a highly efficient dielectric. These capacitors are compact, reliable, and stable, making them essential in smartphones, computers, automotive electronics, and military equipment. In the aerospace and chemical industries, tantalum is used for heat exchangers, reactor vessels, and piping, particularly in environments where acids or corrosive chemicals would destroy other metals.

Tantalum is also valuable in the alloying industry, where it enhances strength, ductility, and oxidation resistance in superalloys used for jet engines, turbines, and nuclear reactors. In medicine, it’s used for surgical implants, prosthetics, and bone repair because it’s biocompatible and does not react with body fluids.

Most tantalum is mined from tantalite ore (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)₂O₆, which often contains niobium, a closely related element. The major sources are found in Africa (particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Nigeria), Australia, and Brazil. However, the mining of tantalum has raised ethical concerns due to its association with conflict minerals, leading to global efforts to ensure responsible sourcing.