Tantalum

Tantalum is a metallic element, number 73 in the periodic table with the symbol Ta. A rare, hard, steel-blue, colored metal, tantalum is highly corrosion-resistant and occurs naturally in the mineral tantalite. The major use of tantalum, as the metal powder, is in the production of electronic components, mainly capacitors and some high-power resistors. The size and weight advantages, make tantalum capacitors attractive for use in portable telephones, pagers, personal computers, and automotive electronics and account for more than 60% of the use. It is also used to produce a variety of alloys that have high melting points, are strong, and have good ductility. It is used in making carbide tools for metalworking equipment, in the production of super alloys for jet engine components, chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, and missile parts.