Tantalum: Physical Properties, Uses, Questions

Tantalum, with the symbol Ta and the atomic number 73, is a chemical element with the symbol Ta. The element was also known as tantalus, named after a Greek legendary villain, Tantalus. Tantalum is a rare, strong, glossy blue-grey transition metal that is very corrosion resistant. A refractory metal, tantalum is frequently utilized as a small component in alloys. Anders Ekeberg, a Swedish geologist, discovered tantalum in 1802. Tantalum and niobium (then known as columbium) were quickly confused until Heinrich Rose, a German scientist, established their differences in 1844. In 1903, Russian scientist Werner Bolton created the first ductile tantalum, which was used as illuminating lamp filament material. 

Read Also: Tantalum Electrolytic Capacitor

Key Terms: Tantalum, Ta, Alloy, Electrical Conductor, Capacitors, Bio-Inert, Health Hazards, Environmental Hazards

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Chemical Properties of Tantalum

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Physical Properties of Tantalum

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1. Tantalum looks like a gleaming silvery metal in its soft and pure state.
2. Tantalum is a hard, uncommon, blue-grey metal with a brilliant finish.
3. This metal is extremely resistant to all acids at room temperature, except hydrochloric acid.
4. Like Uranium, this element is found in abundance in nature.
5. Tantalum is known for its acid corrosion resistance; in fact, at temperatures below 150 degrees Celsius, it is virtually entirely immune to the generally powerful assaults of aqua regia.
6. The metal is known to be a good heat and electrical conductor. It has a high melting point of 3017 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 5458 degrees Celsius.
7. In its compounds, it frequently occurs in the +5-oxidation state. It is one of the inert chemical elements which may be found on the planet.

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Applications of Tantalum

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1. It has uses in high-temperature devices, such as aviation engines.
2. It is used as an alloying medium because of the property of the hardening metals. It is used to make superalloys for the chemical process equipment, jet engine, missile parts, vessels components, heat exchangers, nuclear reactor, and tanks. Tantalum's ductility allows it to be drawn into thin wires or filaments for evaporating metals such as aluminium. Tantalum is often used in surgical equipment and implants because it is non-irritating and resistant to bodily fluids.
3. Tantalum is also a bio-inert substance that is utilized in orthopedic implants. Tantalum's high rigidity allows it to be used as a very porous foam or scaffold with reduced stiffness to minimize stress shielding in hip replacement implants.
4. Tantalum is a non-ferrous, non-magnetic metal, making these implants appropriate for MRI examinations.
5. It is used in the production of capacitors. Tantalum electrolytic capacitors make use of tantalum's ability to generate a protective oxide layer on its surface by employing tantalum powder pressed into a pellet shape as one plate of the condenser, the dielectric oxide, and conductive solid as the other plate. As the dielectric layer is thin (thinner than the corresponding layer in an aluminium electrolytic capacitor), a small volume of high capacitance can be extracted. 
6. It is used in a wide range of medicinal and dental applications. It is used in the chemical industry because of its corrosion resistance.

Read More: Sodium Iodide

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Hazards of Tantalum

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1. When breathed, swallowed, or absorbed into the skin, tantalum causes several health concerns, including skin and eye irritation.
2. Mucous membranes and the upper respiratory tract are also vulnerable to this metal.
3. Because this element can cause significant environmental harm, precautions should be taken before it is disposed of.
4. Although no cases of poisoning have been documented because of exposure, tantalum is somewhat hazardous, and large amounts of fumes or dust are discharged into the air if cutting, melting, or grinding is involved.

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Things to Remember

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• Previously known as tantalus, tantalum is a blue-grey metal discovered by Anders Ekeberg, a Swedish geologist in 1802.
• Tantalum is typically found in the +5-oxidation state in its compounds. It is an inert chemical element that can be found wherever in the world.
• Tantalum is utilized in several alloys to provide high strength, ductility, and a high melting point. When formed into a tiny wire, it's utilized as a filament for evaporating metals like aluminium. Electrolytic capacitors and vacuum furnace components account for around half of tantalum's utilization.
• Tantalum has the potential to be harmful to both humans and the environment. As a result, caution must be exercised when handling or disposing of the metal.

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