Uses of Tantalum Carbide
Tantalum carbide, with the formula TaC, is a compound of tantalum metal and carbon. It has a high melting point of 3,740℃ to 3,880℃ and is extremely hard, with a Mohs hardness of 9-10, second only to diamond.
This material is resistant to water, dilute acids, and alkalis, but reacts slightly with sulfuric acid and hydrogen fluoride. Despite being a compound, tantalum carbide conducts electricity similarly to metals.
Its high heat resistance and electrical conductivity make it suitable for various applications. However, it usually exists in powder form and requires sintering for industrial use. Due to its high melting point, traditional hot-pressing methods are ineffective. However, new techniques like discharge plasma sintering are promising for producing high-quality sintered bodies.
Applications of Tantalum Carbide
Tantalum carbide’s high heat resistance and hardness enable its use in various applications. It’s often sintered into a cermet material and used in refractory ceramics, cutting tool parts, cemented carbide tools, cutting tools, and wear-resistant tools. It’s increasingly popular in machining automotive parts.
Additionally, its high melting point makes it suitable for coating high-temperature heating elements in the manufacture of high-temperature furnaces.