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Tantalum
Tantalum (Ta) is a metal with unique physical and chemical properties. Its main features include:
Physical properties
Color and appearance: Tantalum is a gray-blue, high-density metal with a smooth and hard surface.Density: Tantalum has a density of about 16.6 g/cm3, which is a heavy metal.
Melting point and boiling point: Tantalum has a melting point of 2996°C (about 3290 K) and a boiling point of 5458°C (about 5731 K), which is second only to a few metals such as tungsten and rhenium.
Crystal structure: Tantalum has a body-centered cubic crystal structure with a resistivity of 15 to 60 µΩ·cm at room temperature, and has good electrical and thermal conductivity.
| Physical properties | |||||
| Atomic number | Atomic mass | Density | Melting point | Boiling Point | Crystal structure |
| 73 | 180.95 g/mol | 16.6 g/cm3 | 2996°C (3290 K) | 5458°C (5731 K) | Body-centered cubic |
Mechanical properties
Tensile strength: Tantalum has a tensile strength of about 309 MPa, a yield strength of 240 MPa, and an elongation of up to 35% at room temperature.
Plasticity and brittleness: Tantalum exhibits good plasticity at low temperatures, and its brittle transition temperature is below 77 K. After cold working, its minimum tensile strength can reach 650 MPa.
Chemical properties
Corrosion resistance: Tantalum has strong corrosion resistance to many acids, including aqua regia (below 150°C) and almost all inorganic acids. Only hydrofluoric acid, hot sulfuric acid and sulfur trioxide can dissolve tantalum.
Reactivity: Tantalum can react with nitrogen, oxygen and other gases at high temperatures to form tantalum nitride and tantalum oxide, but its chemical activity is low at room temperature, making it suitable for manufacturing experimental equipment.
| Thermal properties（20℃） | ||
| Linear thermal expansion coefficient | Thermal conductivity | Specific heat |
| 6.5×10−6/°C 6.5×10−6/°C | 57.5 W/(m·K) | 0.14 J/(g·K) |
| Electrical properties（20℃） | |
| Resistivity | Conductivity |
| 0.125(Ω·mm2)/m0.125(Ω·mm2)/m | 8.0×106S/m8.0×106S/m |
Mechanical properties
The mechanical properties of tantalum vary in different states
| In annealed state | ||
| Maximum tensile strength | Yield Strength | Elongation |
| 285 MPa | 170 MPa | More than 30% |
| Cold working state | |
| Minimum tensile strength | Elongation |
| 650 MPa | 5% |
The hardness of tantalum is 90 HV in the annealed state and can reach 210 HV in the cold worked state. Its Poisson's ratio is 0.35 and its elastic modulus is about 186 GPa.
Corrosion resistance
Tantalum is extremely resistant to corrosion by chemicals, especially at high temperatures. It is only corroded by strong acids such as hydrofluoric acid, and forms a dense oxide film (Ta2O5) when exposed to air, further enhancing its corrosion resistance.
Application
Due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, tantalum is widely used in the following areas:
Electronic components: such as capacitors and semiconductor devices.
Medical devices: used for bone implants, vascular clamps, etc.
Chemical processing equipment: such as reactors and heat exchangers.
Aerospace: used to manufacture aircraft parts and engine turbine blades.
In summary, tantalum is a metal with high density, high melting point and excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for a variety of demanding industrial applications.
Choices of Tantalum
The difference between the β state and α state of tantalum
Tantalum (Tantalum, Ta) has two main crystal phases, called alpha state and beta state. There are significant differences between these two states in terms of structure, physical properties, and stability.
The difference between α state and beta state
1. Crystal structure
α state: The α state of tantalum has a body-centered cubic (BCC) crystal structure with space group Im3m. This state is the main crystal phase of tantalum at room temperature.
β state: The β state of tantalum exhibits a tetragonal crystal structure with a space group of P42/mnm.
2. Mechanical properties
α state: This state is relatively soft and has good ductility, with a Knoop hardness between 200 and 400 HN.
β state: In contrast, the beta state is hard and brittle, with a Knoop hardness of 1000 to 1300 HN.
3. Resistivity
α state: Resistivity range is 15 to 60 µΩ·cm.
β state: The resistivity is significantly higher, approximately 170 to 210 µΩ·cm.
4. Stability and transition temperature
α state: Stable at room temperature and suitable for most applications.
β state: It is a metastable state that transforms into alpha state when heated to 750 to 775°C and is therefore unstable at high temperatures.
5. Form of existence
α state: The bulk of tantalum metal consists almost entirely of alpha state crystals.
β state: usually exists in the form of thin sheets, often obtained by methods such as magnetron sputtering or chemical vapor deposition.
There are significant differences between the α and β states of tantalum in terms of crystal structure, mechanical properties, resistivity, stability and existence form. The α state is softer and ductile, while the β state is stiff and unstable, properties that determine their suitability for different applications.
The differences between the mechanical properties of α state and β state tantalum
There are significant differences in mechanical properties between α state and β state tantalum. These differences are mainly reflected in hardness, ductility and strength.
Mechanical properties of α state tantalum
Hardness: The Knoop hardness of alpha tantalum ranges from 200 to 400 HV, making it relatively soft and easily processable.
Ductility: α state tantalum has excellent ductility and can be deformed to a large extent without fracture. This property makes it easy to shape during manufacturing.
Tensile strength: At normal temperature, the tensile strength of α state tantalum is approximately 309 MPa, which is suitable for applications requiring a certain strength and toughness.
Mechanical properties of β state tantalum
Hardness: The Knoop hardness of beta tantalum is significantly higher, ranging from 1000 to 1300 HV, showing strong hardness and brittleness.
Ductility: Due to its structural characteristics, β state tantalum is relatively brittle and has poor ductility, making it prone to fracture under stress.
Tensile strength: The tensile strength of β state tantalum is higher than that of alpha-state, but the specific value varies with material processing and condition. Typically, its strength remains stable in high temperature environments.
Application impact
Due to these differences in mechanical properties, α state tantalum is mainly used in areas that require good ductility and processability, such as electronic components and medical devices. β state tantalum is suitable for applications requiring high hardness and wear resistance, such as thin film materials and certain high-strength components.
Generally speaking, α state tantalum has good ductility and relatively low hardness, and is suitable for processing and forming; while β state tantalum shows higher hardness and strength, but is more brittle and is suitable for specific high-strength materials. application. The choice of which state of tantalum to use depends on the specific application requirements.
The differences between the applications of α and β tantalum
There are significant differences in the applications of α state and β state tantalum, mainly reflected in their physical properties and applicable fields.
Applications of α state tantalum
Electronic components: α state tantalum is widely used in the manufacture of tantalum capacitors due to its good ductility and corrosion resistance. These capacitors are widely used in mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices due to their high capacitance, low leakage current and excellent temperature characteristics.
Alloy materials: Tantalum in the α state can be used as a component of high-temperature alloys for high-temperature environments in the aerospace and chemical industries. Its excellent mechanical properties make it useful in making high-strength materials.
Medical devices: Due to the biocompatibility of α state tantalum, it is often used in the manufacture of implants and surgical tools, and can combine well with biological tissues without causing adverse reactions.
Applications of β state tantalum
Thin film materials: β state tantalum usually exists in flake form and is suitable for use in techniques such as magnetron sputtering and chemical vapor deposition. This makes it important for use in semiconductor and optoelectronic devices.
High-strength components: Because β state tantalum has higher hardness and strength, it is suitable for components that require wear resistance or pressure resistance, such as some special tools and high-temperature-resistant materials.
Research and Development: β tantalum is used as an experimental material in materials science research to explore its mechanical properties and phase transition characteristics under different conditions, especially under high temperature and stress conditions.
Generally speaking, α-state tantalum is more suitable for use in fields such as electronic components, alloys, and medical devices due to its excellent ductility and chemical stability; while β state tantalum is mainly used in fields such as electronic components, alloys, and medical devices due to its higher hardness and special physical properties. Used in thin film technology, high-strength components and scientific research fields. Both have their own advantages in practical applications, and choosing the appropriate state according to specific needs is the key.
