Why is tantalum unique?

Tantalum has several unique characteristics that have led to its increased use in the 21st century. It is a highly stable metal that is almost immune to chemical degradation at temperatures lower than 302 °F (159 °C). It has a melting point of 5,463 °F (2,996 °C), the fourth highest of all metals.

Why is tantalum important?

The most important uses for tantalum are in electrolytic capacitors and corrosion-resistant chemical equipment. Tantalum capacitors have the highest capacitance per unit volume of any capacitors and are used extensively in miniaturized electrical circuitry.

What are the properties of tantalum?

Tantalum is dark (blue-gray), dense, ductile, very hard, easily fabricated, and highly conductive of heat and electricity. The metal is renowned for its resistance to corrosion by acids; in fact, at temperatures below 150 °C tantalum is almost completely immune to attack by the normally aggressive aqua regia.

How reactive is tantalum?

Tantalum is almost completely immune to chemical attack at temperatures below 150°C, and is attacked only by hydrofluoric acid, acidic solutions containing the fluoride ion, and free sulfur trioxide. Alkalis attack it only slowly. At high temperatures, tantalum becomes much more reactive.

What is a fun fact about tantalum?

Tantalum has one of the highest melting points of all the elements on Earth. Its melting point sits at approximately 5,462 degrees Fahrenheit, which puts it behind only tungsten and rhenium as far as melting points are concerned.

What is tantalum used for and why?

Tantalum is used in a variety of alloys to add high strength, ductility and a high melting point. More than half of tantalum’s use is for electrolytic capacitors and vacuum furnace parts. The element is also used to make chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, aircraft and missile parts.

Why is tantalum a conflict mineral?

In fact, tantalum has been designated a “conflict mineral.” These are minerals “mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses.” Much of it comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where, it is said, the sale of raw tantalum and/or its ore supports continuing murder and atrocities by indigent …

How does tantalum affect the environment?

High concentrations of tantalum can contribute to environmental pollution. Small amounts have been found in plants. Exposure by skin contact, ingestion, and inhalation may cause respiratory problems and skin and eye irritation. Health hazards and dangers include dangers of explosion, inhalation, and exposure.

Is tantalum an element?

Both are rare earth elements. Tantalum now sits below niobium in the periodic table. It has an atomic number of 73, and an atomic weight of just under 181.

Is tantalum a transition metal?

Tantalum is a chemical element with symbol Ta and atomic number 73. Classified as a transition metal, Tantalum is a solid at room temperature.

Is tantalum diamagnetic or paramagnetic?

Paramagnetic materials include magnesium, molybdenum, lithium, and tantalum. Paramagnetic properties are due to the presence of some unpaired electrons, and from the realignment of the electron paths caused by the external magnetic field.

Is tantalum unstable?

Tantalum has two naturally occurring isotopes, one of which is stable. Tantalum’s unstable isotope, Ta-180m, is the scarcest isotope in the Universe. Tantalum is also widely used as an alloy due to its high melting point and anti-corrosion properties.

How is tantalum formed in nature?

Tantalum, like most metals, is produced via stellar nucleosynthesis. Tantalum is typically produced in stars through either the s-process or the r-process; a nucleus of an atom such as iron gains mass through neutron capture.

Is tantalum the least abundant stable element in the Earth’s crust?

Tantalum is not actually the least abundant stable element even in the Earth’s Crust ,that position goes to Osmium . according to This above graph Tantalum is middle of the road rare even in earths crust.

What is the chemical name of tatantalum?

Tantalum. Tantalum is a chemical element with the symbol Ta and atomic number 73. Previously known as tantalium, its name comes from Tantalus, a villain from Greek mythology. Tantalum is a rare, hard, blue-gray, lustrous transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant. It is part of the refractory metals group,…

Why is tantalum so resistant to corrosion?

The metal is renowned for its resistance to corrosion by acids; in fact, at temperatures below 150 ° C tantalum is almost completely immune to attack by the normally aggressive aqua regia.