Tantalum
| Physical Properties | Tantalum |
| Atomic Number | 180.95 |
| Density | 16.6 g/cc |
| Melting Point | 3290 K, 2996°C, 5462°F |
| Boiling Point | 5731 K, 6100°C, 9856°F |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20°C) | 6.5 x 10(-6) / °C |
| Electrical Resistivity (20°C) | 13.5 microhms-cm |
| Electrical Conductivity | 13% IACS |
| Specific Heat | .036 cal/g/°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | .13 cal/cm(2)/cm°C/sec |
Mechanical Properties
| Annealed | Ultimate Tensile Strength | 285 M Pa (41 ksi) |
| Yield Strength | 170 M Pa (25 ksi) | |
| % Elongation | 30%+ | |
| %Reduction in Area | 80% + |
| Cold Worked | Ultimate Tensile | 650 M Pa |
| Strength | (95 ksi) | |
| % Elongation | 5% |
| Hardness | Annealed | 90 HV |
| Cold Worked | 210 HV |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.35 |
| Strain Hardening Exponent | 0.24 |
| Elastic Modulus Tension | 186 G Pa (27 x 10(-6) psi) |
Shear
| Ductile Brittle Transition Temperature | < 75 ° K |
| Recrystallization Temperature | 900 - 1200 °C |
Other alloys include:
97% Tantalum; 2.5% Tungsten
This alloy is most useful in applications when low temperature strength is important as well as high corrosion resistance and good formability. This alloy is also higher in strength than pure Tantalum while maintaining good fabrication characteristics.
90% Tantalum; 10% Tungsten
This alloy may be considered in high temperature applications up to 4500 degrees F. and high strength in a corrosive environment are required. This alloy has roughly twice the tensile strength of pure Tantalum, yet retains Tantalum's corrosion resistance and most of pure Tantalum's ductility.
Applications
Tantalum (Ta) is ductile, easily fabricated, highly resistant to corrosion by acids, and a good conductor of heat and electricity and has a high melting point. The major use for tantalum is for the production of electronic components, mainly tantalum capacitors. Major and end uses for tantalum capicitors include portable telephones, pagers, personal computers and automotive electronics. Alloyed with other metals, tantalum is also used in making carbide tools for metalworking and and in the production of superalloys for jet engine components
Favorable Characteristics