Capacitor & Metallurgical Grade
Capacitor-grade Ta powder 10k-80k CV/g, metallurgical and spherical 3D printing cuts. 99.9% purity, conflict-free RMI documented, medical implant and sputtering target feedstock.
QUICK ANSWER
Tantalum powder is supplied in two families: capacitor-grade (high-purity, high-surface-area powder that sinters into the anode of tantalum capacitors — the highest capacitance-per-volume components in electronics) and metallurgical grade (for sintering, melting, and 3D printing tantalum parts for chemical, medical, and aerospace use). Tantalum's valve-metal oxide film and total corrosion immunity make both families irreplaceable in their niches.
Capacitor-grade tantalum is measured in CV/g — capacitance times voltage per gram — with high-charge powders exceeding 50,000 CV/g through extreme surface area from controlled particle morphology. A tantalum capacitor anode is a sintered powder sponge anodized to grow a dielectric Ta₂O₅ film; powder morphology literally is the capacitor. Metallurgical grade serves the opposite need: fully dense sintered or melted tantalum for chemical process equipment (resisting everything except HF and fuming sulfuric), medical implants (tantalum is the most bone-compatible metal known), and sputtering targets for semiconductor barrier layers.
MATERIAL DATA
Lot-level controls focus on the chemistry, particle characteristics, and process values that influence manufacturing consistency and finished-part performance.
| Element | Content | Performance Role |
|---|---|---|
| Tantalum (Ta) | > 99.9 wt% | Base metal — purity defines capacitor reliability and corrosion immunity |
| Oxygen (O) | 1500-4000 ppm (capacitor grade) | Controlled — part of the CV/g design, monitored tightly |
| Niobium (Nb) | < 100 ppm | Nb contamination shifts dielectric properties |
| Carbon (C) | < 50 ppm | Carbon embrittles sintered tantalum |
| Metallic impurities (Fe, Ni, Cr) | < 50 ppm combined | Leakage-current control for capacitor grades |
Final limits can be aligned with the agreed purchase specification.
APPLICATIONS
Tantalum capacitor manufacturing anchors demand: these capacitors go wherever reliability and volumetric efficiency matter most — smartphones, automotive electronics, military systems, and medical implants. Capacitor makers (KEMET, AVX, Vishay tier) buy powder against CV/g specifications with exhaustive impurity panels, because trace contaminants become capacitor leakage failures. The market is small in tonnage but extremely high in value per kilogram, and supply relationships run decades deep.
Medical and chemical applications form the premium growth market: 3D-printed porous tantalum implants (hip augments, spinal cages) exploit tantalum's bone ingrowth — additive manufacturing of spherical tantalum powder has opened geometries impossible by machining. Chemical processors specify tantalum-lined or solid tantalum equipment for bromine, HCl, and high-temperature acid service. Sputtering targets for semiconductor TaN barrier layers and tantalum additions to nickel superalloys round out a demand profile defined by high value and zero substitution options.
REFRACTORY & RARE METAL POWDERS
CUSTOM SUPPLY
We supply capacitor-grade powders across the CV/g range with full certified impurity panels, metallurgical grade for sintering and melting, and spherical gas-atomized tantalum (15-45 µm, 45-106 µm) for additive manufacturing and thermal spray. Custom oxygen and surface-area specifications, small qualification quantities, and conflict-free sourcing documentation (RMI/OECD due diligence) are standard. Tantalum is not under Chinese export licensing — supply is routine with full traceability.
We supply capacitor-grade powders across the CV/g range with full certified impurity panels, metallurgical grade for sintering and melting, and spherical gas-atomized tantalum (15-45 µm, 45-106 µm) for additive manufacturing and thermal spray.
Custom oxygen and surface-area specifications, small qualification quantities, and conflict-free sourcing documentation (RMI/OECD due diligence) are standard.
Tantalum is not under Chinese export licensing — supply is routine with full traceability.
MATERIAL COMPARISON
| Comparison Point | This Product | Niobium Powder |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitance density | Highest (Ta2O5 k~27) | Lower per volume (Nb2O5 k~41 but higher voltage limits) |
| Voltage rating | To 50V+ reliably | Lower practical ratings |
| Price | High | Lower — Nb more abundant |
| Reliability track record | Decades, military-grade | Growing acceptance |
| Supply concentration | Central Africa concentrated | Brazil concentrated |
| Best use | Premium compact capacitors, implants | Cost-driven capacitor substitution |
TECHNICAL FAQ
Need a different chemistry, particle range, or processing route? Our material team can review the requirement and supply window.
CV/g is capacitance-voltage product per gram — the powder's quality figure. High CV/g (50,000+) suits small low-voltage capacitors for consumer electronics; lower CV/g with robust structure serves high-voltage automotive and military parts. Tell us your capacitor voltage and case size target.
Yes — full chain-of-custody documentation under RMI (Responsible Minerals Initiative) protocols, smelter disclosure, and OECD due diligence reports available with every lot.
Yes — gas-atomized spherical Ta in 15-45 µm (LPBF) and 45-106 µm (EBM/DED) cuts with certified flowability and oxygen. Porous implant manufacturers are our fastest-growing customer group.
Oxygen sits in the powder surface and becomes part of the anodized dielectric; excess oxygen raises leakage current and degrades capacitor life. Capacitor grades ship with certified O analysis per lot.
No. Tantalum is not on China's export licensing lists — shipments clear under standard terms with normal end-use documentation.
RELATED PRODUCTS
Compare neighboring grades from the same material family, then review the complete category for additional chemistry and particle options.
99-99.95% Cr powder, electrolytic low-oxygen grade for PVD targets, sized cuts for CuCr vacuum interrupter contacts and PM additions. Argon-packed, certified per lot.
Nb powder for NbTi superconductors, NbO capacitor anodes, 718 additions and C-103 rocket AM. 99.9-99.99% purity, spherical cuts, certified interstitials per lot.
4N rhenium powder for single-crystal turbine blade alloys, X-ray targets and catalysts. GDMS panels per lot, W-Re/Mo-Re alloy powders, allocated supply quoted per inquiry.
REQUEST THIS GRADE
Share your target chemistry, particle size, process, annual volume, and destination. Our powder specialists will confirm the closest production grade and documentation package.
