metals

The stuff for the first radio

Tantalum is a chemical element with the symbol Ta and atomic number 73; in the periodic table it is in the fifth subgroup or vanadium group. It is a rare, ductile, graphite-gray, lustrous transition metal. Tantalum is mainly used for capacitors with high capacitance and at the same time small size. Since the metal is non-toxic, it is also used for implants, such as bone nails.

The first application of the new element was as a filament in light bulbs. The reason for changing from the previously used osmium to tantalum was that it is easier to process and has a higher possible useful temperature of up to 2300 °C. It was later replaced by tungsten, which has an even higher melting point, enabling a light spectrum closer to that of sunlight and a higher light output.

In 1922, a new use for tantalum was found with its use in rectifiers and a year later in radio tubes.