Tantalum Rod, Bar, & Wire

Admat offers our customers a diverse selection of tantalum rod, tantalum bar, and tantalum wire products which are all engineered for a range of applications. Our products are cold-rolled and annealed in a proprietary process that creates metallurgical properties ideal for such applications as sputtering gun barrels, machining into fasteners, x-ray or radiation shielding, medical markers for surgeons, vacuum furnace heating elements, chlorinator springs, components for light bulbs, or machined parts for chemical processing equipment.

Admat’s tantalum rods are manufactured by cold rolling large diameter tantalum ingots into smaller diameters and performing intermediate anneals to recrystallize the metal before repeating the process. This process guarantees that the metallurgy of the rod is uniform. The tantalum rods and bars are typically centerless ground to ensure a smooth uniform surface. Usually, customers who plan to machine the rods prefer the material to be unannealed, whereas those who plan on drawing or rolling the material further ask for annealed.

Did you know that Admat can also supply fasteners such as screws, nuts and washers made of tantalum?

Uses of Tantalum Rods and Tantalum Bars

Tantalum rods and tantalum bars appear in many applications, including:

• Sputtering gun barrels: Computer disk manufacturers and other industries using sputtering processes are increasingly adopting tantalum to resist corrosion in sputtering gun barrels. The tantalum lining process is more environmentally efficient than chromium lining, helping industries reduce their ecological impact.
• Machined fasteners: Machined fasteners fabricated from tantalum offer superior corrosion resistance. They replace fasteners made of alternative materials prone to failure or that require expensive equipment shutdowns for maintenance. Tantalum fasteners appear in industries such as mining, energy, and pharmaceuticals as well as in metal and chemical processing.
• X-ray/radiation shielding: Tantalum’s radio-opaque qualities make it ideal for X-ray and shielding applications seeking to prevent radiation leakage. Tantalum shielding also protects sensitive electronic components in aerospace structures as well as components operating in corrosive environments.
• Vacuum furnace heating elements: Because of tantalum’s oxidation resistance and high melting point, many vacuum furnace components incorporate tantalum bars. Tantalum’s temperature grain stabilization increases machine life expectancy due to its ability to withstand high temperatures for long periods of time.
• Machined parts for chemical processing equipment: Tantalum’s corrosion-resistant properties make it a choice material for machined parts used in chemical processing equipment. Tantalum machined parts replace inferior materials that do not perform as well in harsh chemical environments and require extensive maintenance.

Your Partner in High-Quality Tantalum Wire. Admat produces exceptional tantalum wire for diverse applications.  We start with melted ingot (RO5200) and sintered bar (RO5400).  Sinter bars are typically used in high temperature processes or applications where grain size control is important. The ingot or bar is forged into a long rod and then meticulously drawn through a series of progressively smaller dies to achieve the desired diameter. Cleaning and annealing are performed throughout the process to eliminate impurities and yield proper mechanical properties.  We offer spools for smaller diameter wires and loose coils for larger diameters.

Advancing Tantalum Alloy Wire Technology.  Admat takes pride in its leadership in tantalum alloy wires, particularly Ta7.5W (7.5% tungsten) and Ta10W (10% tungsten). Designed specifically for chlorinator springs, these alloys offer the perfect blend of properties needed for such demanding environments. By leveraging our expertise, you can ensure your application receives the optimal tantalum wire solution.

Uses of Tantalum Wire

Tantalum wire offers superior performance in the following applications:

• Chlorinator springs: Our tantalum wire provides ideal mechanical properties and corrosion resistance for safe, high-performing chlorinator springs. We specifically engineer tantalum wire for this application, creating product chemistry and microstructures that safeguard against premature component failure. In fact, customers have proven that Admat’s spring wire continues to operate long after competitors’ products have failed during third party testing.
• Tantalum capacitor lead wire: This has been the major application for tantalum wire.  It typically uses sinter bar derived wire for its resistance to grain growth at high temperature and resistance to bending fatigue.
• 3D printing: Both Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and Electron Bean Additive Manufacturing (EBAM) can use wire as a feed material.
• Medical markers for surgeons: Tantalum bars and rods resist chemicals in bodily fluids and are nonirritating to the touch. Surgeons use tantalum tools in bone, eye, and cranial surgeries. Tantalum rods and bars act as markers in various types of cancer treatments.
• Evaporation Pellets: Short-length tantalum wire is used as evaporation media for the manufacturing of semiconductors, magnetic memory devices, optical and corrosion-resistant coatings.
• Vacuum furnace heating elements and hardware:  high melting point and good mechanical strength make it a perfect choice for high temperature furnace.  The product in this application is typically grain stabilized for improved life.
• Filaments and wires for light bulbs: Superior ductility allows tantalum wire’s use in a wide variety of light bulbs as an oxygen getter.

Choose Admat for all your tantalum rod, bar, and wire needs. With over 50 years of experience working with refractory metals, Admat provides a broad range of refractory metals and products including tantalum bars, tantalum rods, and tantalum wire. To learn more about our product line and how we can serve your industry, Request a Quote today.