Tantalum is an element previously known as tantalium and is represented by the chemical symbol Ta. It is an exceptional metal that has many industrial and commercial applications, including the manufacture of capacitors, semiconductors and medical implants, such as hip replacements, coronary stents and pacemakers.
Tantalum is a rare and highly sought-after metal due to its unique properties which make it extremely resistant to corrosion and can be formed into very thin sheets, making it ideal for use in the electronics industry. The material is extremely heat resistant and can be used in high temperature environments. It also has low thermal expansion and conducts electricity very efficiently, making it useful for capacitors and transistors. Furthermore, it has excellent magnetostrictive properties, making it suitable for use in recording devices and data storage.
Tantalum is commonly found in deposits of coltan, a substance made up of a combination of metals and minerals, which is principally mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tantalum has a wide range of applications in industry and engineering, with widespread use in electronics, nuclear energy, chemical and medical engineering, aerospace, and even military applications.
The use of tantalum in electronic devices is one of the main drivers behind its popularity in the industry, as capacitors made of tantalum are capable of storing extremely large amounts of energy and are also able to rapidly transfer it back and forth. This makes them invaluable components in everything from cell phones to televisions and radios, while they are also used in transistors, disk drives, computer memory modules and switches.
In nuclear power plants tantalum is used to construct heat resistant shield components and make the necessary valves, pipes and steam systems. Similarly it is found in the chemical industry, where it has become a vital component of catalysts to break down and process chemicals, by providing enhanced reactivity and corrosion resistance.
When it comes to medical applications, tantalum is also incredibly valuable due to its unique properties, with its inert nature, low-friction surfaces, biocompatibility and corrosion resistance being essential requirements for many medical products and implants. In particular, it is mostly used in hip replacements and joint implants, but is also employed in a variety of other implants and medical devices, such as orthodontic arches and pacemakers.
The aerospace industry is another sector that has taken up tantalum, with a range of highly specialised components being introduced such as valve and pump parts, seals, bearings and radiation shielding components for satellites and space shuttles. Military applications have also become increasingly prevalent, with tantalum being used for armour plating and missile guidance systems.
In conclusion, the versatility of tantalum has enabled it to be used in a range of industries and applications, ranging from electronics manufacture to nuclear energy and medical engineering. With many more potential uses being discovered every day, it is clear that tantalum has certainly made its mark in the 21st century.
