Tantalum (Ta) is an unsung hero in modern metallurgy. This versatile metal has become essential to numerous industries over the years. Tantalum is generally used in applications that require increased heat, corrosion, and chemical resistance.
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- High-temperature applications such as aircraft engines
- Electrical devices such as capacitors
- Surgical implants such as artificial joints and cranial plates, and surgical sutures
- In the chemical industry e.g. for heat exchanger in boilers in which strong acids are vaporized
- As a substitute for platinum, which is more expensive
- In components for nuclear power plants and missiles
Titanium and nickel alloys are commonly used to make medical implants as they present a good strength-to-weight ratio, are corrosion-resistant, and relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust. Tantalum, by comparison, is a rare metal, though it exhibits a number of features that make it a valuable additive to medical-grade alloys. https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/84-year-old-man-china-receives-world-first-3d-printed-tantalum-knee-125253/
Tantalum must be used in an inert atmosphere; otherwise, upon heating, it will react.
Also Tantalum is important for cutting tools material to improve the tool life when added layer for surface of carbide cutting tools.
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