Tantalum is a chemical element with symbol Ta and atomic number 73. Previously known as tantalium, its name comes from Tantalus, an antihero from Greek mythology. Tantalum is a rare, hard, blue-gray, lustrous transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant.
Three reasons Tantalum stands out
- 1
Used in capacitors and corrosion-resistant chemical equipment.
- 2
Almost every smartphone and laptop in the world contains a small capacitor made from this metal.
- 3
It is completely inert to bodily fluids, making it ideal for use in surgical implants and bone repair plates.
A capacitor metal that ignores body fluids
Tantalum forms an exceptionally stable oxide layer, allowing tiny capacitors to store charge reliably in phones and computers. Its resistance to corrosion also suits chemical equipment and implants. The element’s supply chain is scrutinized because some ores have financed conflict in Central Africa.