Why Tantalum?
Why Tantalum?
Unique Properties
- Hard
- Superconductive
- One of the highest melting points
- Corrosion resistant
- Resistant to acid and body fluids
Rare
- One of the rarest metals
- Generally extracted from rare mineral columbite-tantalite (coltan)
- Over 60% of coltan is sourced in DRC and Rwanda
- Traceability and ethical challenges faced by users
Critical
- On US and UE critical metals lists
- Processing capacity is not controlled by a single country
- Used in aerospace and military superalloy
Future Facing Metal
- Over 30% of tantalum is used in capacitors making consumer electronics
- Key to miniaturisation of electronic equipment
- 5G, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, medical implants
Switch Metals selection well placed to benefit from
growing electrification and electronics demand