Tantalum is a heat-resistant and refractory metal, as hard and as malleable as gold. Its melting point is 2996 °C, its density is 16.6 g/cm³, It is chemically inert. At normal temperature, it is stable in air. Oxidation begins above 280 °C. A characteristic feature of tantalum is its ability to absorb nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is absorbed at a maximum rate at almost 500 °C, with the formation of hydrides. The absorbed hydrogen makes the metal brittle, but when heated further above 600 °C in a vacuum, the hydrogen is almost all released and the tantalum restores its former mechanical properties. Nitrogen absorption begins at 600 °C, with greater heating forming nitrite, which melts at t° 3087 °C.

Production

Tantalum does not form toxic or explosive compounds in the workplace, so it belongs to Hazard Category IV materials. Tantalum sheet, foil and ribbon are produced by rolling stacks of sintered powder tantalum (after carbon reduction). Ribbon production is regulated by GOST 15 515-70 with thickness 0,05-2 mm with a deviation up to 0,01-0,1 mm towards reduction of thickness. If necessary, 0.1-0.5 mm thick tape can be supplied in about 100 meters length. Its surface is smooth, with visible welds. Having tantalum density of 16.6 g/cm³, weight of the rolled material varies from 0.5 to 18 kg/sq.m depending on its thickness. Dimensions of tantalum sheets are from 5 mm in thickness, 500-800 mm in width and 500-2000 mm in length. Length tolerance is + 20 mm. Tantalum sheets are produced in accordance with GOST 492-73. Due to the fact that the properties of tantalum sheets directly depend on impurities, strict quality control standards have been developed. According to GOST 18 904.6-89 such elements as aluminum, vanadium, iron, calcium, silicon, magnesium, manganese, copper, nickel, tin, titanium, chromium, zirconium in pure tantalum shall not exceed a tenth of percent.

Tantalum foil and sheet

Use

Tantalum sheets are most commonly used in engineering, petrochemicals, rocket and missile construction, metallurgy and the military-industrial complex. Tantalum is alloyed with the most high-temperature and corrosion-resistant alloys and the foil is used for cladding. A method has been developed for coating large items such as pipes, crucibles, sheets, and jet engine parts with a layer of tantalum of varying thickness. It is interesting that the Brinell strength of tantalum coating is 180-200 kg/sq. mm while the strength of technical tantalum sheet is 50-80 kg/sq. mm. Coating shaped charge shells with tantalum sheet improves armor penetration. In electrical engineering high-capacitance capacitors are made from it; the surface of such sheet, obtained by powder metallurgy method, is porous, which increases the area of contact with the electrolyte tenfold. Tantalum tape is in demand in instrumentation and electrical engineering to produce electric heaters with stable characteristics. Often such elements are made from tantalum tape with a thickness of 5-20 µm. The biological inertness of tantalum allows the tape and foil to be used for dressings, patches and artificial limbs in surgery. Tantalum-niobium alloys are also suitable for this purpose.

Supply

We supply certified rolled tantalum and its alloys. The specification includes data on the percentage composition and mechanical properties of products. From us it is easy to buy in bulk any semi-finished products for large-scale production. We also cooperate with retail buyers. High level of service and responsiveness of service is the face of our company.

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The website of Evek GmbH reflects the most up-to-date information on the purchase of rolled products of rare and refractory metals to date. Our best managers, ready to provide highly qualified advice on any current issues. We sell semi-finished products of rare and non-ferrous metals at a competitive price. Products are manufactured on the most modern equipment and meet the requirements of international quality standards. Regular customers are given a system of discount discounts.