Tantalum is a rare, dark-colored blue-gray transition metal that is ductile and dense. It can be used in elemental form or alloyed to produce many different useful products. It is also a common additive to nickel-based superalloys, adding strength and corrosion resistance. We offer tantalum R05255 sheet and plate in a wide variety of thicknesses and sizes for use in a wide range of applications.
For applications requiring extremely high operating temperatures tantalum is often clad to niobium, producing parts that have the niobium on the hot oxidizing side and the tantalum on the cold non-oxidizing side. This process is typically performed in a retort or vacuum furnace to develop a metallurgical bond between the two materials. The bonded material can then be cold rolled to obtain the desired sheet thickness.
Due to its excellent biocompatibility, tantalum is widely used in medical devices such as surgical instruments and implants. Porous tantalum in particular has been shown to have angiogenic properties and can promote bone regeneration in osteopenic patients. However, it is important to note that, in spite of its favorable features, it presently lacks the consolidated clinical experience with endosseous implantable applications that titanium has achieved.
When machining tantalum, it is best to use cemented carbide tools with the highest cutting speed possible to avoid damage to the surface. A lubricant such as perchloroethane or trichloroethylene should be used, and the workpiece must be constantly wetted with these compounds to prevent oxidation. Welding can be done using inert gas arc welding or, with certain limitations, using resistance welding equipment. Acetylene torch welding is unsuitable and will cause damage to the material.