Tantalum

Tantalum is a hard, blue-grey metal with one of the highest melting points of any element and extraordinary corrosion resistance. It is the "conflict mineral" in your smartphone, tiny tantalum capacitors are inside every mobile phone and most other electronic devices, and their supply from the DRC has been linked to funding armed conflict.

  • Atomic Number7373 protons, 73 electrons
  • Atomic Mass180.9479 u73× heavier than hydrogen
  • State at Room TempSolidSolid
  • Density16.4 g/cm³
  • Melting / Boiling3016.8°C / 5457.9°C
  • Discovered1802

What is Tantalum?

Tantalum is a transition metal in Group 5 below niobium. With 73 protons and a melting point of 3,017°C, it resists virtually all acids including aqua regia. Its name comes from Tantalus of Greek mythology, as the separation of tantalum from niobium was tantalisingly difficult.

Named after Tantalus of Greek mythology, who was punished by being unable to reach food or water just beyond his reach, because separating tantalum from niobium was extraordinarily difficult. Discovered by Anders Gustaf Ekeberg in 1802.

Fact Tantalum is a "conflict mineral", its ore coltan was a key funding source for armed groups in the DRC during the Congo Wars. International regulations (the Dodd-Frank Act in the USA, and EU Conflict Minerals Regulation) require companies to audit their tantalum supply chains for links to conflict financing.

Where you find Tantalum

On Earth

Mainly from coltan (columbite-tantalite) ore in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Australia, Brazil. DRC and Rwanda together supply over 50% of world production.

How we use Tantalum

  • Electrolytic capacitors for smartphones, computers and electronic devices. Tantalum capacitors store charge efficiently in very small packages.. Electronic capacitors
  • Surgical implants, tantalum is biocompatible and corrosion-proof in body fluids.. Medical implants
  • Superalloy additions, tantalum in turbine blades improves resistance to high-temperature oxidation.. Superalloys
Did you know? Tantalum is a "conflict mineral", its ore coltan was a key funding source for armed groups in the DRC during the Congo Wars. International regulations (the Dodd-Frank Act in the USA, and EU Conflict Minerals Regulation) require companies to audit their tantalum supply chains for links to conflict financing.

How it was discovered

Named after Tantalus of Greek mythology, who was punished by being unable to reach food or water just beyond his reach, because separating tantalum from niobium was extraordinarily difficult. Discovered by Anders Gustaf Ekeberg in 1802.

Deeper dive: tantalum properties and applications

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Moving to 74 protons on the periodic table takes us to the next element.