GENERAL PROPERTIES
SYMBOL: Ta
NUMBER: 73
ELEMENT CATEGORY: Transition Metals
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHASE: Solid
STD ATOMIC WEIGHT: 180.94788(2) g-mol -1
MELTING TEMPERATURE: 3290K, 3017C, 5463F
BOILING TEMPERATURE: 5731K, 5458C, 9856F
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE: Body Centered Cubic
ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY: (20 °C) 131 nΩ·m
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY: (300 K) 57.5 W·m−1·K−1
THERMAL EXPANSION: (25 °C) 6.3 µm·m−1·K−1
KEY FACTS
Discovered in 1802 in Sweden by Anders Ekeberg
Closely related to niobium
Density and melting points halfway between Mo and W
Easily worked at room temperature
Excellent corrosion resistance, especially in acids, caustics, and glass.
MAJOR APPLICATIONS
Capacitors and capacitor wire
Barrier layers in semiconductor products
Nuclear shielding
Heat exchangers and vessels in the chemical processing industry
COMMON ALLOYS
Tantalum
Tantalum 2.5% Tungsten
Tantalum 7.5% Tungsten
Tantalum 10% Tungsten
Tantalum 40% Niobium