탄탈럼(탄탈)

출처Tantalum is the 51st most abundant element found on Earth. Although it is found in afree state, it is usually mixed with other minerals and is obtained by heating tantalum potassiumfluoride or by the electrolysis of melted salts of tantalum. Tantalum is mainly obtainedfrom the following ores and minerals: columbite [(Fe, Mn, Mg)(Nb, Ta)2O6]; tantalite [(Fe,Mn)(Ta, Nb)2O6]; and euxenite [(Y, Ca, Er, La, Ce, U, Th)(Nb, Ta, Ti)2O6]. Tantalum’s oresare mined in South America, Thailand, Malaysia, Africa, Spain, and Canada. The UnitedStates has a few small native deposits but imports most of the tantalum it uses.Since tantalum and niobium are so similar chemically, a solvent process must be employedto separate them from the common ores. They are dissolved in a solvent, resulting in 98% pure niobium oxide being extracted during this part of the process. This is followed by 99.5%pure tantalum oxide being extracted in a second solvent process.

용도In pen points; analytical weights; apparatus and instruments for chemical, surgical, and dental use instead of platinum, in tantalum capacitors (a type of electrolytic condenser, trademarked "Tantalytic").

일반 설명Tantalum dust is a black odorless powder. Mp: 2996°C; bp: approx. 5250°C. Density: 16.65 g cm-3. Insoluble in water. Tantalum oxide dust is a white, microcrystalline powder Mp: 1800°C. Density: 7.6 g cm-3. Insoluble in water. The mixture is listed as a toxic inhalation hazard by OHSA.

생산 방법It was identied that tantalum minerals exists in over 70 differentchemicalcompositions.Thoseofgreatesteconomic importance are tantalite, microlite, and wodginite; however, it is common practice to name any tantalum-containing mineral concentrate as “tantalite”. Tantalum resources are widespread, with the most important known resources being found in Brazil and Australia. In mid-2008, the main mining operations were in Australia, Brazil,Canada,Mozambique,andEthiopiaandinmid-2009, in Brazil, Ethiopia, and China, with additional quantities originating in central Africa, Russia, and Southeast Asia. There is continued interest in exploration of this element in other countries, primarily in Egypt, Canada, Mozambique, and Saudi Arabia. The major world mine producers of tantalum in 2010 were Brazil (180 tons), Mozambique (110 tons), Rwanda (100 tons), and Australia (80 tons). Other countries produced around 170 tons, so the total world production of tantalum was approximately 670 tons. The major producers of tantalum mineral concentrates are Australia, Brazil, and Canada.