The history of tantalum. Physical and mechanical properties.

Are you interested in the application and history of the discovery of tantalum from the supplier company AvecGlob? Here you will find interesting information on this topic.

History of discovery

Tantalum is named after the Greek mythological character Tantalos. This metal was discovered by Anders Eckberg in 1802. Until 1844 it was believed that tantalum and niobium — the same element, while the Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galsard de Marignac in 1866 proved the opposite.

Properties of tantalum

Tantalum is heavy, gray, ductile metal. In its pure form, it can be pulled into a thin wire. Tantalum is almost not susceptible to chemical attack at temperatures up to 150 0C. Tantalum oxide films are very stable and have good rectifying and dielectric properties.

The metal has a high melting point, and becomes more reactive at high temperatures.

Sources of tantalum in nature

Tantalum is naturally found in the columbite-tantalite mineral. Basically, the deposits of this mineral are in Australia, Brazil, Mozambique, Thailand, Portugal, Nigeria, Zaire and Canada.

Separation of tantalum from niobium requires either electrolysis, the reduction of potassium fluoroanthate with sodium, or the interaction of carbide with the oxide. Natural tantalum contains two isotopes, at the same time twenty five isotopes of the given metal are known.

Supplier — AvekGlob Company — offers tantalum and its alloys in the assortment of brands, as well as at affordable prices from the manufacturer. The supplier guarantees the timely delivery of products to any address specified by the consumer.

The use of tantalum

Tantalum is used in various alloys to add to it indicators of high strength, plasticity and high melting point. When pulled into a thin wire, it is used as a thread for evaporation of metals, such as aluminum. More than half the use of tantalum is for electrolytic capacitors and parts of a vacuum furnace. This element is also used for the manufacture of chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, aircraft and rocket parts.

Tantalum has found application in the manufacture of surgical instruments, because it is completely immune to body fluids. Tantalum oxide is used to make a special glass with a high refractive index for objects, such as lenses for the camera.

Supplier — AvekGlob Company — offers to purchase tantalum and its alloys in a variety of brands in the assortment. Products can be bought at a price formed on the basis of European and world standards. Implementation is possible in bulk and retail, for regular customers, a flexible system of discounts operates.