Cetantal

Cetantal is an alternative or historical spelling used in some sources for the chemical element tantalum. With the symbol Ta and atomic number 73, cetantal is a hard, dense transition metal known for one of the highest melting points among elements and for its exceptional corrosion resistance.

Physical and chemical properties include a lustrous, silvery appearance and a stable protective oxide layer, Ta2O5, which makes cetantal highly resistant to many acids and environments. It is ductile and can be drawn into wires or formed into very fine powders. The oxide is widely used in electronics and coatings due to its dielectric and insulating properties.

Occurrence and production involve tantalum-niobium mineral complexes, most commonly columbite-tantalite (coltan). Ore is processed to separate Ta2O5, which is then converted to tantalum chloride (TaCl5) and subsequently reduced to metallic cetantal. Industrial methods include aluminothermic or other high-temperature reductions, often following purification.

Applications of cetantal are broad and include solid-state capacitors used in electronics, particularly in mobile devices and computers, as well as medical implants and surgical instruments due to biocompatibility. Its resistance to chemical attack makes it valuable in chemical processing equipment, laboratory vessels, and aircraft components.

History and naming trace to the early 19th century, with discovery attributed to Anders Ekeberg in 1802. The element was named after the mythic Tantalus, reflecting early naming practices. The long-standing niobium-tantalum distinction was clarified in the 19th century, leading to the modern usage of tantalum for the element described here.

See also: Niobium, Coltan, Tantalum capacitors.