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Periodic Table of Elements

Element Tantalum - Ta

Comprehensive data on the chemical element Tantalum is provided on this page; including scores of properties, element names in many languages, most known nuclides of Tantalum. Common chemical compounds are also provided for many elements. In addition technical terms are linked to their definitions and the menu contains links to related articles that are a great aid in one's studies.

Tantalum Menu

Overview of Tantalum

Tantalum's Name in Other Languages

  • Latin: Tantalum
  • Czech: Tantal
  • Croatian: Tantal
  • French: Tantale
  • German: Tantal - r
  • Italian: Tantalio
  • Norwegian: Tantal
  • Portuguese: Tantálio
  • Russian: Тантал
  • Spanish: Tántalo
  • Swedish: Tantal

Atomic Structure of Tantalum

Chemical Properties of Tantalum

Physical Properties of Tantalum

  • Atomic Mass Average: 180.9479
  • Boiling Point: 5698K 5425°C 9797°F
  • Coefficient of lineal thermal expansion/K-1: 6.6E-6
  • Conductivity
    Electrical: 0.0761 106/cm Ω
    Thermal: 0.575 W/cmK
  • Density: 16.65g/cc @ 300K
  • Description:
    Rare gray metal with a high melting point, which resists corrosion due to an oxide film that forms on its surface.
  • Elastic Modulus:
    • Bulk: 196.3/GPa
    • Rigidity: 69.2/GPa
    • Youngs: 185.7/GPa
  • Enthalpy of Atomization: 782 kJ/mole @ 25°C
  • Enthalpy of Fusion: 31.4 kJ/mole
  • Enthalpy of Vaporization: 753.1 kJ/mole
  • Flammablity Class: Combustible Solid, fine dust is easily ignited
  • Freezing Point: see melting point
  • Hardness Scale
    • Brinell: 800 MN m-2
    • Mohs: 6.5
    • Vickers: 873 MN m-2
  • Heat of Vaporization: 743kJ/mol
  • Melting Point: 3269K 2996°C 5425°F
  • Molar Volume: 10.9 cm3/mole
  • Optical Reflectivity: 78%
  • Physical State (at 20°C & 1atm): Solid
  • Specific Heat: 0.14J/gK
  • Vapor Pressure = 0.776Pa@2996°C

Regulatory / Health

  • CAS Number
    • 7440-25-7
  • RTECS: WW5505000
  • OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
  • OSHA PEL Vacated 1989
  • NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)
  • Routes of Exposure: Inhalation; Skin and/or eye contact
  • Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system
  • Levels In Humans:
    Note: this data represents naturally occuring levels of elements in the typical human, it DOES NOT represent recommended daily allowances.
    • Blood/mg dm-3: n/a
    • Bone/p.p.m: 0.03
    • Liver/p.p.m: n/a
    • Muscle/p.p.m: n/a
    • Daily Dietary Intake: 0.001 mg
    • Total Mass In Avg. 70kg human: 0.2 mg

Who / Where / When / How

  • Discoverer: Anders G. Ekeberg
  • Discovery Location: Uppsala Sweden
  • Discovery Year: 1802
  • Name Origin:
    From king Tantalus of Greek mythology.
  • Abundance of Tantalum:
    • Earth's Crust/p.p.m.: 2
    • Seawater/p.p.m.: 0.000002
    • Atmosphere/p.p.m.: N/A
    • Sun (Relative to H=1E12): N/A
  • Sources of Tantalum:
    Chiefly occurs in the mineral tantalite. Always found with niobium. Annual world production is around 840 tons. Primary mining areas are Australia, Zaire, Brazil, Russia, Norway, Canada and Madagascar.
  • Uses of Tantalum:
    Used in metal alloys. Tantalum pentoxide is used in capacitors, condensers, cutting tools, vacuum tube filaments and in camera lenses to increase refracting power.
  • Additional Notes:

Tantalum Menu

References

A list of reference sources used to compile the data provided on our periodic table of elements can be found on the main periodic table page.

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