Tantalum
What it Is:
Tantalum carbide (TaC) is an extremely hard (Mohs hardess 9-10) refractory ceramic material. The hardness is only exceeded by diamond. It is a heavy, brown powder usually processed by sintering, and an important cermet material. It is sometimes used as a fine-crystalline additive to tungsten carbide alloys. Tantalum carbide has the distinction of being the stoichiometric binary compound with the highest known melting point, at 4150 K (3880°C). The substoichiometric compound TaC0.89 has a higher melting point, near 4270 K (4000°C).
TaC/Ta2C
Grades: FTaC-1, FTaC-2, FTaC2-1
Appearance:
It is a heavy brownish powder with a metallic luster
Application:
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Tantalum carbide is often added to tungsten carbide/cobalt (WC/Co) powder attritions to enhance the physical properties of the sintered structure. It also acts as a grain growth inhibitors preventing the formation of large grains, thus producing a materials of optimal hardness.
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It is also used as a coating for steel moulds in the injection moulding of aluminium alloys. While providing a hard, wear resistant surface, it also provides a low friction mould surface.
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Tantalum carbide is also used in the production of sharp instruments with extreme mechanical resistance and hardness.
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It is also used in tool bits for cutting tools.