Refractory Tantalum

Annealing Procedure

Recrystalization occurs in tantalum between 2000 and 2500 F. A high vacuum furnace is strongly recommended.

Applications

Applications for tantalum fall into two major categories: electronic and metallurgical. The electronics industry is the largest single user, where it is employed in capacitors, filaments and various other high temperature components. The chemical process equipment industry commonly employs tantalum in heat exchangers, heaters, vessels, etc.

Forgeability

Forge at 2200 down to 1500 F.

Formability

With fully annealed material, spinning, deep drawing, blanking and punching can easily be performed. The material has a relatively low work hardening rate.

Hardening Procedure

Tantalum can only he hardened through cold work.

Heat Treatability

Tantalum is not heat treatable.

Machinability

Tantalum has a tendency to gall, very similar to pure copper. This can cause welding of tooling to the workpiece if proper procedures are not followed. Heavy roughing cuts with M2 high speed or C2 carbide tooling is recommended. To minimize galling, high speed tooling with generous lubricant flooding is recommended. Speeds of 40-60 fpm are recommended.

Principle Design Features

Tantalum is a refractory metal, falling between tungsten and molybdenum in terms of melting point (5425 F). It is widely available in EB cast and powder metallurgy mill forms an it applications fall into two major categories: electronic and metallurgical. Excellent additional data available at http://www.rembar.com/tant.htm.

Weldability

Tantalum can be fusion and resistance welded successfully. Resistance welding should be performed under water. Fusion welding is most successful when the material to be joined is absolutely clean.