TRENDS IN USAGE OF TANTALUM.
Abstract
The demand for tantalum has been growing at a considerable rate, a rate which may increase in the future. The extremely tight supply situation seems to have eased recently. Nearly three-quarters of the tantalum produced goes into electric equipment in the form of capacitors. Most such capacitors are used in military and space equipment, although there is a growing industrial market. Therefore, tantalum consumption is closely tied to defense spending. Use in electronic applications may double in the next 5-10 years; no decrease in usage for any identified application if foreseen. Tantalum is replaceable in chemical equipment by glass or by other refractory metals or platinum, but at an economic penalty due to the excellent heat transfer characteristics and fabricability of tantalum. If a performance penalty is acceptable (coupled with circuit redesign), aluminum can be substituted for tantalum in capacitors. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0832583