tantalum

[tan-tl-uhm]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a gray, hard, rare, metallic element occurring in columbite and tantalite and usually associated with niobium: used, because of its resistance to corrosion by most acids, for chemical, dental, and surgical instruments and apparatus. Ta; 180.948; 73; 16.6.

tantalum

/ ˈtæntələm /

noun

1. a hard greyish-white metallic element that occurs with niobium in tantalite and columbite: used in electrical capacitors in most circuit boards and in alloys to increase hardness and chemical resistance, esp in surgical instruments. Symbol: Ta; atomic no: 73; atomic wt: 180.9479; valency: 2, 3, 4, or 5; relative density: 16.654; melting pt: 3020°C; boiling pt: 5458±100°C

tantalum

1. A hard, heavy, gray metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion at low temperatures. It is used to make light-bulb filaments, surgical instruments, and glass for camera lenses. Atomic number 73; atomic weight 180.948; melting point 3,017°C; boiling point 5,458°C; specific gravity 16.6; valence 2, 3, 4, 5.

2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of tantalum¹

1795–1805; < New Latin; named after Tantalus

Word History and Origins

Origin of tantalum¹

C19: named after _Tantalus , with reference to the metal's incapacity to absorb acids

Example Sentences

Growing tantalum directly on silicon required solving several technical problems related to how the two materials interact, but the researchers succeeded and uncovered significant advantages in the process.

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Last year Rwandan mining company Trinity Metals secured a $3.9m grant from the DFC to help develop the three mines that it owns in the country, producing tin, tantalum and tungsten.

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This included cobalt, copper, lithium, manganese and tantalum - needed to make the electronic components used in computers, electric vehicles, mobile phones, wind turbines and military hardware.

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The metal tantalum, used in cars and everyday electronics from TV sets to mobile phones, is extracted from this ore, and DR Congo is the source of 40% of the world's supply.

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It also has significant lithium, tantalum and uranium deposits, which also have military uses.

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