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Are Tantalum Capacitors Electrolytic
Tantal belongs to Group 5 of the Periodic Table, together with V and Nb. It has an atomic number of 73 and an atomic mass of 181. It possesses an oxidation state of +5. Two stable isotopes exist, and 181 Ta accounts for 99.99 % of the total mass.
Tantal is a lithophile element with chalcophile affinity. It occurs almost exclusively in complex oxide and hydroxide minerals. The borate mineral Behierit and the only known non-oxide, tantalum carbide TaC, are exceptions.
Common Ta minerals include tantalite (Fe, Mn)(Ta, Nb)2O6, formanite YTaO4, and microlite. Tantal is typically found in association with Nb. Common host minerals for Ta in magmatic rocks are pyroxene, amphibole, biotite, ilmenite, and sphene.
Tantal is primarily used for the production of electrolytic capacitors and vacuum furnace components, which account for approximately 60 % of its usage. The metal is also used in the manufacture of chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, as well as aircraft and rocket parts. It is further employed to produce carbide tools for metalworking machines. Owing to its biologically inert properties, it is used in medicine for cranial plates or discs, for wire sutures and for the production of prostheses. Tantal has also been utilised in the manufacture of weaponry, thereby leading to increased Ta concentrations in the vicinity of military installations.
Tantal is considered a non-essential element. Almost nothing is known about its prevalence in living organisms, and little is known about the effects of Ta on the environment. Given its low solubility and mobility, the toxicological effects are likely insignificant under current environmental concentrations. Its products, such as tantalum meshes, are widespread.
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