Tantalum is a chemical element; it has symbol Ta and atomic number 73. Previously known as tantalium, it is named after Tantalus, a figure in Greek mythology. Tantalum is a very hard, ductile, lustrous, blue-gray transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant.
Tantalum is used to make components for chemical plants, nuclear power plants, airplanes and missiles. Tantalum does not react with bodily fluids and is used to make surgical equipment.
antalum is a chemical element with symbol Ta and atomic number 73 and is a unique gray color that has just a hint of blue. The natural color of tantalum is slightly darker than titanium but tantalum bands can also be black.
Tantalum was first discovered in 1802 by Swedish chemist Anders Ekeberg. He named the element after Tantalus, a figure from Greek mythology known for his eternal frustration. This name reflected the difficulty Ekeberg had in dissolving the element's oxide in acids.
However, the story of tantalum's discovery takes a twist. Shortly after Ekeberg's discovery, another element with similar properties, niobium, was identified. For many years, scientists believed they were actually the same element. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that scientists were able to definitively prove that tantalum and niobium were distinct elements.
Tantalum is sometimes, but only rarely, found uncombined in nature. It occurs mainly in the mineral columbite-tantalite, which also contains other metals including niobium. It is mined in many places including Australia, Canada and Brazil.