Tantalum Foam

Tantalum foam, based on tantalum (a ductile, very hard, easily fabricated, and highly conductive of heat and electricity metal), is a low-density permeable material with high specific strength, high energy absorption, excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.

Basic Parameters

Note: The other sizes can be manufactured in accordance with the clients' request.

Special Properties

• Heat resistance—Tantalum's high melting point of 3017℃ is exceeded among the elements only by tungsten, rhenium and osmium for metals, and carbon.
• High acid resistance—At temperatures below 150℃, it is almost completely immune to attack by the normally aggressive aqua regia. It can be dissolved with hydrofluoric acid or acidic solutions containing the fluoride ion and sulfur trioxide, as well as with a solution of potassium hydroxide.
• Bioinert—Tantalum is highly bioinert.

Applications

Porous titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) is widely used in orthopedic applications, while titanium alloy contains vanadium and aluminum. Vanadium has potential harm to the human body, at the same time, aluminum can also cause symptoms such as bone softening and nerve disorders. As its high bioinert and high stiffness, tantalum foam can replace titanium alloy in orthopedic implant material.

Tantalum foam effectively promote the integration and invasion by the surrounding bone even in a complex quantitative and qualitative deficit of bone, with a defective contact of up to 5mm wide. As tantalum is a non-ferrous, non-magnetic metal, these implants are considered to be acceptable for patients undergoing MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) procedures. Tantalum foam can be used in total hip prosthesis, knee, ankle, shoulder and intersomitic implants in the spine, cervical, thoracic and lumbar.

Alfa Chemistry is a leading manufacturer of tantalum foams. The other sizes can be manufactured in accordance with the clients' request. To place an order or request a quote, please don't hesitate to contact us.