Tantalum (Ta)

Metal with High Corrosion Resistance and Ductility

Due to its natural oxide layer, tantalum exhibits exceptional corrosion resistance, including strong acids and aggressive chemicals. It remains structurally stable under extreme heat, shows high ductility and offers good electrical conductivity.

Compared to molybdenum, tantalum provides significantly better corrosion resistance, making it suitable for extreme chemical and thermal stress.

Composition of Tantalum

  • 73

    Tantalum

    Ta

    100%

Key Properties

  • Corrosion Resistance

    Tantalum resists nearly all aggressive chemicals at temperatures up to 150 °C, including concentrated hydrochloric, nitric and sulfuric acid. Only hydrofluoric acid and molten alkalis can penetrate its natural oxide layer.

  • Dimensional Stability

    With a thermal expansion coefficient of only 6.3 × 10⁻⁶/K, tantalum stays dimensionally accurate even under thermal cycling. This allows tight tolerances in high-temperature applications.

  • Thermal Conductivity

    With moderate thermal conductivity of approximately 57 W/m·K, tantalum is suitable for applications requiring uniform heat distribution. In heating elements or thermal barriers this prevents local overheating and ensures controlled temperature profiles across the component.

  • Cold Formability

    Tantalum remains ductile even at very low temperatures and can be plastically deformed without becoming brittle. This enables the production of ultra-thin foils and complex geometries for capacitors or medical implants without intermediate annealing.

Physical and Mechanical Properties

Property

Unit

Value

Tensile strength (Rm)

MPa

206

Hardness (Brinell)

HBW 2.5/62.5

≈800

Electrical conductivity

Sm/mm²

8

Electrical conductivity

% IACS

≈13

Electrical resistance

Ωmm²/m

0.125

Density at 20 °C

g/cm³

16.65

Linear expansion coefficient at 20 °C

10⁻⁶/K⁻¹

6.4

Elastic Modulus (E)

kN/mm²

186

Thermal conductivity at 20 °C

W/(m·K)

57.5

Elongation at 20 °C

%

20–35

Specific heat

J/gK

0.14

These figures represent minimum values, typical averages or defined tolerance ranges. If your application requires specific material characteristics such as defined thermal stability, increased mechanical strength or enhanced chemical resistance, we will develop a suitable variant in close cooperation with you. Get in touch to discuss your specifications.

Industrial Applications

Typical use cases of tantalum in industrial environments

  • Electronics

    The high capacity and reliable long-term performance of tantalum electrolytic capacitors make the material suitable for numerous applications in electronics. Among other things, it is used in capacitors and resistors for devices with high power density and stability requirements.

  • Medical Technology

    With its biocompatibility, structural stability and chemical inertness, tantalum is suitable for implants and surgical materials. It is used in components that remain permanently in the body or come into contact with tissue.

  • Chemical Industry

    Tantalum’s exceptional resistance to acids, alkalis and aggressive media makes it the preferred choice for reactors, piping and equipment in chemical and pharmaceutical process engineering.

Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process for tantalum products involves several stages to achieve the desired material properties.

  • 1
    Step 1

    Raw material extraction

    Tantalum is mainly extracted from the ore columbite-tantalite (coltan). After physical ore concentration, a chemical breakdown and reduction process is applied to obtain high-purity tantalum metal powder.

  • 2
    Step 2

    Melting and casting

    Tantalum powder or sponge is melted using techniques such as electron beam (EB) or vacuum arc remelting (VAR). These methods remove residual impurities and homogenise the microstructure. The result is high-purity, dense tantalum blocks or ingots for further processing.

  • 3
    Step 3

    Rolling and drawing

    The tantalum ingots are forged, rolled or drawn at high temperatures to produce sheets, wires or rods. Cold working increases strength, while hot working improves formability. Due to tantalum’s density and reactivity, these processes require strict technical control.

  • 4
    Step 4

    Machining and finishing

    Final processing includes machining operations such as turning, milling or grinding, and cutting semi-finished products into customer-specific geometries. Depending on the application, welding, surface treatments or coatings may also be applied.

  • 5
    Step 5

    Quality control

    Tantalum quality is verified through chemical, mechanical and physical testing. Chemical analysis, e.g. spectroscopy, ensures purity and composition. Mechanical tests such as tensile and hardness testing assess strength and ductility. Physical testing includes density, conductivity and thermal expansion, which are critical for safe use in advanced applications.

  • 6
    Step 6

    Packaging and shipping

    Finished tantalum products are packed using protective materials to prevent damage during transport.

The process ensures that tantalum components meet the material requirements necessary for industrial use. These include excellent corrosion resistance, high temperature stability, mechanical strength and good formability.

Talk to Our Material Specialists

In close cooperation with you, we analyse your requirements, provide comprehensive guidance and find the solution that fits your process best.

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