Tantalum Metal and Alloys
Hard-to-Resist Tantalum Metal Materials
Tantalum metal is a heat-tolerant and refractory with excellent corrosion resistance similar to niobium. Often alloyed with other metals, tantalum is an exotic metal used to make superalloys.
Common applications of exotic tantalum metal include chemical processing, jet engines, and nuclear reactors. The oxidation properties of tantalum metal also make it an excellent choice for many electronic applications, including electrolytic capacitors and high-power resistors. It is also highly bio-compatible and used extensively for medical applications, such as skull plates, hip joints, suture clips, and stents.
Tantalum metal products (pure and with 2.5% tungsten) are typically produced using an electron beam melt followed by a vacuum arc remelt. Ingots are then processed by forging and then rolling, drawing, or extrusion to provide foil, sheet, plate, or rod/bar. Tubing is also available upon request.
What you need to know about buying Tantalum metal foil, strip, sheet, plate and rod/bar
- Tantalum metal rod/bar products are produced to ASTM B365 with foil (less than 0.005”), sheet (0.005” to 0.187”), and plate (over 0.187”) products produced to ASTM B708. Strip products can be supplied in coil and are usually less than 6” in width but can be supplied up to 12” in width. Tantalum products are available in the following alloys:
- R05200 – Unalloyed tantalum – electron beam or vacuum-arc melt, or both
- R05252 – Tantalum alloy, 97.5% tantalum, 2.5% tungsten
- All tolerances are per applicable specifications except for tantalum foil, which would be agreed on with the customer.
- Surface condition (as rolled, buffed, ground) should be supplied with each inquiry.
- Material is supplied in the annealed condition unless specified.
- We can provide machined and fabricated parts made from tantalum metal with supplied drawings.
Product Selection and Purchasing Options
Beyond tantalum metal, Leading Edge offers a wide range of products in multiple shapes and sizes, even in small quantities. Many are available for immediate shipment from our warehouse. If we don’t have the specialty material you need, there’s a good chance we can find it. With our flexible purchasing options, you can ensure materials are available when they’re needed. Purchasing options include blanket orders, just-in-time delivery, and consignment materials.
Industry Standards and Requirements
Industries constantly evolve, driven by a growing demand for scientific and technological advancement. Successful experimentation must ensure material integrity, safety, performance, and compliance with strict environmental and operational regulations.
These standards typically focus on aspects like purity, quality, and durability to guarantee that refractory metals meet the demanding conditions of high-stakes research applications. Because they serve multiple industries and extreme environments, this list includes more than average standards and requirements.
Standards and Requirements:
- ASTM International (American Society of Mechanical Engineers): Standards for materials used in energy applications.
- SAE Aerospace Material Specifications (AMS, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers or SAE)
- ASME BPVC (Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code): Guidelines for materials used in pressure vessels and reactors.
- Department of Defense (DoD) Military Standards or Military Specifications (MIL) on the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) ASSIST Database
We adhere to quality compliance certification standards and statutory regulations that pertain to our exotic materials, processes, custom machining services, traceability, and other aspects of our in-house expertise. Our materials specialists provide expert counsel on metal selection and inspection to ensure you receive materials that meet or exceed your expectations.
Leading Edge Metals & Alloys Certifications include:
- ISO9001:2015 and AS9100D Registered
- ITAR Registered
- NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC Complian
Our deep understanding of this industry stems from our extensive experience, skilled metallurgy professionals, and a history of successful partnerships with leading national research labs.
FAQs About Tantalum
Customers should disclose exposure to acids, operating temperature ranges, atmospheric conditions, and whether the application involves vacuum or pressure. This information helps ensure the correct grade, surface condition, and processing method are selected.
Yes. Leading Edge Metals & Alloys supplies machined and fabricated Tantalum components based on customer drawings. This includes support for prototypes, small-batch production, and ongoing supply programs with options such as blanket orders and just-in-time delivery.
Tantalum maintains mechanical stability and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures, especially in vacuum or inert atmospheres. While it offers excellent heat tolerance, service environment details are important, as Tantalum can oxidize rapidly at high temperatures in oxygen-rich conditions without protection.
Tantalum is typically supplied in the annealed condition, which provides optimal ductility and formability. Other conditions or surface finishes may be specified depending on machining, forming, or application requirements.
Tantalum products are commonly supplied to ASTM standards based on form:
- ASTM B708 – foil, sheet, and plate
- ASTM B365 – rod and bar
Strip products are generally supplied in coil form and produced within standard dimensional ranges unless otherwise specified.
Common Tantalum grades include:
- R05200 – unalloyed Tantalum (electron beam melt, vacuum arc melt, or both)
- R05252 – Tantalum alloy containing 2.5% Tungsten
Unalloyed Tantalum is typically selected for corrosion resistance, while Tantalum-Tungsten alloys are used when improved high-temperature strength is required.
When ordering Tantalum, customers should specify product form, dimensions, tolerances, surface condition (such as as-rolled, ground, or polished), applicable ASTM specification, and whether machined or fabricated components are required. Providing this information upfront enables Leading Edge Metals & Alloys (LEMA) to ensure material suitability, compliance, and efficient delivery.
Tantalum is ductile and relatively easy to form, but it can gall during machining if tooling and parameters are not properly selected. Clean tooling, controlled feeds, and appropriate lubrication are important. Because Tantalum work-hardens, fabrication processes should be planned carefully to maintain dimensional accuracy and surface finish.
Leading Edge Metals & Alloys supplies Tantalum in foil, strip, sheet, plate, rod, tubing, and bar formats, with tubing available upon request. Materials can also be supplied as cut-to-size blanks or machined components based on customer drawings and application needs.
Yes. Tantalum is highly biocompatible and non-reactive within the human body. This makes it well-suited for medical implants such as coating on knee and hip implants, orthopedic components, suture clips, plates, screws, and stents, where long-term stability and minimal biological response are essential.
Tantalum is widely used in chemical processing equipment, heat exchangers, reaction vessels, and linings exposed to aggressive acids. It is also critical in medical implants, electronics (capacitors and sputtering targets), aerospace components, and nuclear and high-temperature research applications.
Tantalum offers outstanding resistance to most acids, excellent oxidation resistance, a high melting point (over 3,000°C / 5,400°F), and strong ductility even at lower temperatures. It also forms a stable passive oxide layer, which contributes to its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.
Tantalum is used instead of conventional metals when applications require exceptional corrosion resistance, chemical inertness, and stability at elevated temperatures. In environments where stainless steels, Nickel alloys, or Titanium corrode or degrade, Tantalum remains stable and reliable, making it essential for highly aggressive chemical and biomedical applications.
