Tantalum Set Screws
When nickel, titanium or zirconium alloys are not enough...
Tantalum set screws are best known for its unmatched corrosion resistance and chemical inertness. Tantalum screws have a similar corrosion resistance to that of glass, but all of the typical mechanical and electrical properties of a metal.
Tantalum set screws are also extremely stable at high temperatures, since tantalum has a melting point around 3000°C. High temperature applications require vaccum or inert gas since tantalum may embrittle when used in oxygen rich environments above 250°C. Tantalum set screws are also one of the most bio-compatible metals available and is also radio-opaque due to its high density (16.68 g/cm3).
All tantalum set screws are available in commercially pure tantalum and tantalum 2.5% tungsten (Ta-2.5%W).
Contact us to see if your required tantalum screws are in stock and how our engineers may help you with your tantalum fastener application.
Resources: Tantalum Torque Spec
Screw Types: Button Head Cap Screws, Flat Head Screws, Hex Cap Screws, Pan Head Screws, Set Screws, Socket Head Cap Screws, Tamper Resistant Security Screws,
Tantalum Set Screw Features & Benefits
Tantalum set screws are unique in that they have no screw head, meaning that they have no protruding part past the threaded shaft. They are thread only and are available with a socket or slotted driver insert at one end. Set screws are used to secure an object within or against another object. Typically they secure a rotating part such as a gear or shaft. Tantalum set screws are driven through a threaded hole in the rotating part until it is tight against the inner object, preventing from moving relative to the outer object. Set screws are available with various points depending on the application.
Cup Point
This is the most commonly used set screw and is identified by a cup-shaped indentation on one end. Tantalum cup points are typically used for a quick, semi-permanent or permanent applications where it is acceptable to cut the cup point edge of the screw.
Cone Point
A cone point is easily identifiable by its sharp cone-shaped point – just like an ice cream cone. Tantalum cone point set screws deliver the strongest clamping force due to the deep penetration of the point. As a result they are used for permanent assembly.
Flat Point
The cheapest and simplest of the set screw point styles, this screw has a flat surface on the bottom of the screw. This type is used when you need the ability to frequently change parts and require minimal shaft deformation.
Tantalum Grades, Specifications and Chemistry
Tantalum (Commercially Pure)
Commercially pure tantalum metal is 99.95% pure tantalum has some o the best corrosion resistant properties of any metal. While its corrosion resistance is exceptional, it is relatively soft and mechanically similar in strength to copper.
Tantalum Specifications: UNS R05200, ASTM B521, B708
Tantalum 2.5% Tungsten (Ta-2.5W)
This grade of tantalum alloyed with 2.5% tungsten provided better overall strength while maintaining its exception corrosion resistant properties. For tantalum fastener applications this is usually preferred.
Tantalum 2.5% Tungsten Specifications: UNS R05252, ASTM B521, B708
Physical Properties
- Density 16.6 g/cc
- Melting Point 3290 K, 2996°C, 5462°F
- Boiling Point 5731 K, 6100°C, 9856°F
- Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20°C) 6.5 x 10(-6) / °C
- Electrical Resistivity (20°C) 13.5 microhms-cm
- Electrical Conductivity 13% IACS
- Specific Heat .036 cal/g/°C
- Thermal Conductivity .13 cal/cm(2)/cm°C/sec
Tantalum Tensile Data
Tantalum Iso-Corrosion Curves
Tantalum Corrosion Resistance Table
TANTALUM SHOWS A NIL CORROSION RATE TO THE FOLLOWING MEDIAFor all temperatures up to at least 302F (150C) unless otherwise indicated |
Acetic acid Acetic anhydride Acetone Air,<300°C (570°F) Alcohols Aldehydes Aluminum chloride Aluminum nitrate Aluminum sulfate Amines Ammonium bicarbonate Ammonium carbonate Ammonium chloride Ammonium nitrate Ammonium acid phosphate Ammonium phosphate Ammonium sulfate Amyl acetate or chloride Aniline hydrochloride Aqua regia Barium carbonate Barium chloride Barium hydroxide Barium nitrate Benzoic acid Body fluids Boric acid Bromine, dry, <300°C (570°F) Bromine, wet Butyric acid Calcium bicarbonate Calcium bisulfates Calcium bisulfites Calcium carbonate Calcium chloride Calcium hydroxide Calcium hypochlorite Carbolic acid Carbon dioxide Chloric acid Chlorinated brine | Chlorine, dry, <250°C (480°F) Chlorine, wet, <350°C (662°F) Chlorine oxides Chloroacetic acid Chromic acid Chrome plating solutions Citric acid Cleaning solutions Copper salts Dichloroacetic acid Dimethylformaldehyde Ethylene dibromideEthyl sulfate Fatty acids Ferric chloride Ferric sulfate Ferrous sulfate Food stuffs Formaldehyde Formic acid Fruits Glycerine Graphite, <1000°C Hydroiodic acid Hydrobromic acid Hydrocarbons Hydrochloric acid Hydrogen bromide, <400°C Hydrogen chloride, <350°C Hydrogen iodide Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen sulfide Hydroxyacetic acid Hypochlorus acid Iodine, <300°C (570°F) Ketones Lactic acid Lead salts Magnesium chloride Magnesium hydroxide Magnesium sulfate | Maleic acid Manganous chloride Methyl alcohol Methylsulfuric acid Milk Mineral oils Mixed acids (sulfuric-nitric) Motor fuels Nickel salts Nitric acid Nitric acid, fuming Nitric oxides Nitrogen, <300°C (570°F) Nitrous acid Nitrosyl chloride Organic chlorides Organic acids Organic esters Organic salts Oxalic acid Oxygen, <300°C (570°F) Pechloric acid Petroleum products Phenol Phosphoric acid, <4ppmF,<180°C Phosphorus, <700°C (1290°F) Phosphorus chlorides Phosphorus oxychloride Phthalic anhydride Pickling acids, except HNO3-HF Potassium bromide Potassium chloride Potassium dichromate Potassium ferricyanide Potassium iodine-iodine Potassium nitrate Potassium permanganate | Potassium sulfate Potassium thiosulfate Propionic acid Refrigerants Sea water Silver nitrate Sodium acetate Sodium aluminate Sodium bisulfate, solution Sodium bromide Sodium chlorate Sodium chloride Sodium citrate Sodium cyanide Sodium dichromate Sodium hypochlorite Sodium nitrate Sodium nitrite Sodium phosphate Sodium silicate Sodium sulfate Sodium sulfide Sodium sulfite Sodium thiosulfate Stearic acid Succinic acid Sugar Sulfamic acid Sulfur, <500°C (930°F) Sulfur chlorides Sulfur dioxide Sulfuric acid, to 175°C (350°F) Sulfurous acid Sulfuryl chloride Tannic acid Tartaric acid Thoinyl chloride Tin salts Zinc chloride Zinc sulphate |
TANTALUM SHOWS LIMITED CORROSION RESISTANCE TO THE FOLLOWING MEDIA |
Air,>300°C (570°F) Ammonia Ammonium hydroxide Fluoride salt Hydrofluoric acid | Hydrogen, >300°C (570°F)Hydrogen fluoride Oleum (fuming sulfuric acid) Potassium carbonate Potassium hydroxide, dilute | Potassium hydroxide, conc. Potassium pyrosulfate, molten Sodium bisulfate, molten Sodium carbonate Sodium hydroxide, dilute | Sodium hydroxide, conc. Sodium pyrosulfate, molten Sulfur trioxide Sulfuric acid, >175°C (350°F) |