FOR SALE Tantalum Ore 34-35%,
size 0.5 inches, packaged in 200 lb plastic drums. Immediate
availability.
The major use for tantalum, as
the metal powder, is in the production of electronic components,
mainly capacitors and some high-power resistors. Tantalum
electrolytic capacitors exploit the tendency of tantalum to form a
protective oxide surface layer, using tantalum powder, pressed into
a pellet shape, as one "plate" of the capacitor, the oxide as the
dielectric, and an electrolytic solution or conductive solid as the
other "plate". Because the dielectric layer can be very thin
(thinner than the similar layer in, for instance, an aluminium
electrolytic capacitor), a high capacitance can be achieved in a
small volume. Because of the size and weight advantages, tantalum
capacitors are attractive for portable telephones, personal
computers, and automotive electronics.