What is tantalum, the rare metal found in Sutlej?

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(Source: Indian Express, 22/11/2023 )

Why in the news?

• A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has found the presence of tantalum, a rare metal, in the Sutlej river sand in Punjab.
• The team was headed by Dr Resmi Sebastian, assistant professor at the institute’s Civil Engineering Department.

What is tantalum?

• Tantalum is a rare metal with the atomic number 73 and atomic mass is 180.948.
• Its chemical symbol is “Ta”.
• It was first discovered in 1802 by Anders Gustaf Ekenberg, a Swedish chemist, in minerals obtained from Ytterby, Sweden.It was recorded as a disticnt element in 1866.
• The name is derived from the legendary Greek figure King Tantalus. Its name reflects its insolubility in acids. Just like the Tantalus failed to take up fruit and water, despite being surrounded by it, Tantalum placed in the midst of acids, is incapable of taking any of the acid.

Properties of Tantalum:

• Physical Properties:
  • Shiny, Silvery Grey, heavy, and very hard.
• Corrosion Resistance:
  • It forms an oxide layer when exposed to air leading to high corrosion resistance.
  • Even in strong and hot acid environments, the oxide layer is extremely difficult to remove,
• Ductility:
  • In pure form Tantalum can be stretched, pulled, or drawn into a thin wire or thread without breaking.
• Chemical Immunity:
  • Almost completely immune to chemical attack at temperatures below 150°C.
  • Attacked only by hydrofluoric acid, acidic solutions containing the fluoride ion, and free sulphur trioxide.
• High Melting Point:
  • Tantalum has an extremely high melting point, exceeded only by tungsten and rhenium.

Uses of Tantalum:

• Electronic Sector:
  • Dielectric property of the oxide layer formed on the surface of Tantalum makes it suitable to be used for Capacitors.
  • It exhibits superior capabilities for storing more electricity in smaller sizes with minimal leakage.
  • Ideal for use in portable electronic devices like smartphones, laptops, and digital cameras.
• Substitute for Platinum:
  • Tantalum, with its high melting point, serves as a substitute for platinum.
  • Particularly useful given platinum's higher cost.
• Industrial Applications:
  • Used in the manufacturing of high refractive index glass, vacuum furnaces and other components for chemical plants, nuclear power plants, airplanes, and missiles.
• Biocompatibility:
  • Tantalum does not react with bodily fluids.
  • Makes it ideal to be used in surgical equipment and implants, including artificial joints.
• Cutting-Edge Material:
  • Composite of tantalum carbide (TaC) and graphite forms one of the hardest materials known.
  • Therefore, it is used on the cutting edges of high-speed machine tools.
• Its properties are very similar to Niobium, a similar rare element.

FAQs

MCQs

Q.) With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019)

1. Sand is a 'minor mineral' according to the prevailing law in the country.
2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Centre Government.
3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only

(b)2 and 3 only

(c)1 and 3 only

(d)1, 2 and 3