What is tantalum?
Tantalum is a rare, refractory, chemically inert metal with good corrosion resistance and high ductility. It is prized for its extremely high melting point making it ideal for high-temperature use as a protective sheath material for MI cable and exotic (high-temperature) thermocouples such as B,R,S,C and D.
Tantalum’s physical properties
- Maximum recommended operating temperature (vacuum): 2200°C
- Maximum recommended operating temperature (air): 480°C
- Melting point: 2995°C
- Minimum bend radius: 10x the diameter
Tantalum maintains its strength even at extremely high temperatures. It is resistant to weak alkalis as well as to most acids (hydrofluoric is the exception). Suited only for use in inert, or very good vacuum environments, its corrosion resistance is significantly reduced at temperatures above 400°C in atmospheres containing oxygen, nitrogen or hydrogen.
Industrial applications of tantalum
Tantalum is used as a sheath material for MI cable and high temperature (exotic) thermocouples that are used in industries such as:
- High temperature vacuum furnaces
- Aerospace components
- Glass melting
- Crystal growing
- Chemical vapor deposition
- Thin film solar cells
- Semiconductor industries
- nanotechnologies
Kamet’s tantalum products
Tantalum is one of the sheath options for our exotic (high temperature) thermocouples: B, R, S and C. Our MI cable in combination thermocouples K, N, J, E, B, R, S or C can be supplied with outside diameters of minimum 1.60 mm and maximum 6.35 mm. The exotic thermocouples can be supplied in the following diameters: 1 mm, 1.6 mm, 3.2 mm.
On this page we are looking at tantalum as a sheath material, however it is also interesting to note that Kamet uses this material in specialized microheaters such as these cathode heaters.
Contact our in-house experts here, they will be happy to answer your questions or to provide a customized solution.