Tantalum

Tantalum is alloyed with other metals to give them a higher melting point, greater strength, better ductitility, etc.   Tantalum oxide films have good rectifying and dielectric properties.   It is used to make electrolytic capacitors and vacuum furnace parts, chemical processing equipment, nuclear reactors, and aircraft and missile parts.   Because tantalum is not irritating and nonreactive with body fluids, it is used to make surgical equipment.   Because it has a high index of refraction, it is used for camera lenses and specialized glass. ^{Lide 4-28}

Tantalum was discovered in 1802 by the Swedish chemist, Anders Gustave Ekeberg.   The pure metal was isolated by von Bolton in 1903.   Tantalum is found mainly in the ore, columbite-tantalite, and often with niobium.   Separating tantalum from niobium requires several complicated steps.   Following this, producing tantalum commercially is done by electrolysis of molten potassium fluorotantalate, or reduction of potassium fluorotantalate with sodium, or reacting tanalum carbide with tantalum oxide. ^{Lide 4-28}