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Tantalum

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A chemical element, in the periodic table tantalum has the symbol Ta and atom number 73. It was discovered in 1802 by Anders Ekeberg, in Sweden. Its name is derived from the Greek word "Tantalos" meaning "father of Niobe," a reference to tantalum's close relationship to niobium on the periodic table.

Tantalum is almost completely immune to chemical attack at temperatures below 150°C, and is attacked only by hydrofluoric acid, acidic solutions containing the fluoride ion, and free sulphur trioxide. The element has a melting point exceeded only by tungsten and rhenium (melting point 3290 K, boiling point 5731 K). It is ductile and can be drawn into fine wire, which is used as a filament for evaporating metals such as aluminium.


External Link
Los Alamos National Laboratory's Chemistry Division

See: Periodic Table

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