Tantalum- Most Unheard But Important Metal

Tantalum is the element sits between hafnium, niobium and tungsten in the transition metal section of the periodic table. It is discovered in 19^th century, named after Tantalus, a figure from Greek mythology. It has atomic number 73, atomic weight 180.94, atomic symbol ‘Ta’ and it is a high density metal. Tantalum is increasingly becoming important in the 21^st century, as it plays a crucial role in making electronic devices smaller. It naturally fights corrosion.

Tantalum is rarely found in its elemental form. It is one of the high density metals, found with niobium and other radioactive elements uranium and thorium. Several industrial processes are required to extract   pure tantalum. Australia and South America account for over two-third of the world’s tantalum production. A single mine in Brazil accounts for 20% of the total annual supply. Due to the increase in the use of tantalum in electronics devices,   the cost of capacitor grade tantalum has also increased over the past decade.

This element remains very stable at temperature lower than 150 degree Celsius. It has a natural protective layer created by  tantalum oxides to protect it from corrosion. Due to the corrosion resistant property it is highly used in making of bridges and water tanks. Tantalum capacitors have very high capacitance packed in a small volume which makes it perfect for reducing the size of the electronic devices. It is found in DVD players, cell phones, hard drives, laptops and PS3.

Tantalum is used in making devices used in television, cell phones and surface acoustic wave filters. The average cell phone has about 40 milligrams of tantalum inside it. Its capacitors has very low failure rate making them accurate for manufacturing of medical equipment.  It is also used in making knee, hip and other orthopedic implants.

Benefits of CNC Machining

The CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, is a process of machining substances  that involves computer aided technology to control tools. Tools that can be controlled in this manner include grinders, lathes, mills and routers. In this technology the computer's unique software and control console sets the system apart for use in CNC machining.

In CNC Machining the machine tools function through numerical control in which a computer program is customized for an object to be machined. The machines are programmed with a CNC machining language called G-code. This controls all features like location, feed rate, coordination, and speeds. This technology is utilized in manufacturing both metal and plastic parts for Custom Machining Services.

The main benefits of using CNC Machining is that, this process is more precise than manual machining methods. As it delivers precision machining, this process can produce complex shapes that would be almost impossible to achieve with manual machining

Below are major benefits of CNC Machining Process:

1)      Cost savings:  It  allows the operator to take full advantage of raw materials. More accuracy is delivered and less waste is produced. Therefore, it minimizes the loss and increases profit over costs.

2)      Speed:  This technology has fastened the machining process. It can quickly produce parts that would normally take multiple steps to manufacture by manual process.

3)      Improved Efficiency:  CNC machines are the most efficient mean to deliver quality and Precision machining services. The minute an error can be detected in the product therefore leads to optimum raw material usage.

4)      Safety:  As the entire process is automated, There is complete safety of operators and workers, allowing a safer work environment.

This technology is also utilized for the jobs that need a high level of precision. It is because of these qualities that CNC Machining is used for the production of many complex three-dimensional shapes.

Mechanical and Physical Properties of Zirconia

Zirconia is also known as Ceramic steel. It posses the transformational and toughening system, which doesn't occur in any other ceramic material. According to many researchers the development and marketing effort has been expended on this single material which offers the traditional ceramic advantages of hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, without the characteristic ceramic property of absolute brittleness.

Elementary properties of zirconia ceramic which makes it highly usable ceramic:

·        High hardness

·        High strength

·        Electrical insulation

·        Very high wear resistance

·        High fracture toughness

·        Excellent frictional behavior

·        Extremely non-magnetic nature

·        Low thermal conductivity

·        Modulus of elasticity equal to steel

·        Coefficient of thermal expansion similar to iron

·        High corrosion resistance in alkalis and acids

In familiar with all other engineering ceramics, the achievement of these properties is mostly reliant on both the initial powders and the fabrication methods. These outstanding properties advance and enhance the machining zirconia process. As it leads to perfect machining of the material. Therefore, it is a highly machinable ceramic material.

All commonly used ceramic consolidation methods can be applied to zirconia ceramic. Some of these techniques are iso-static pressing, dry pressing injection moulding, extrusion tape casting and dry pressing. Fault elimination at all development stages is essential for not only reliability but also high strength.  


With decisive flaws of the order of 45 µm, clean room technique has been shown to drastically improve both distribution of strengths and mean strengths. The values of about 1500 MPa bending strength with modulus 30 have been recorded for various zirconia ceramic materials. 

Role of Tungsten in Future

Tungsten having symbol W and atomic number 74 is one of the ostensible transition metals. The shiny gray metal remains solid in state at room temperature. Tungsten is characterized by unique chemical and physical properties. The requirements of a more energy conscious world in relation to the efficient consumption and production of energy has escalated in past years and will become increasingly significant for the society in the future.

Presently, worldwide energy consumption is growing much faster than the overall supply. The effectiveness of conventional technologies should be enhanced in order to decrease losses in distribution and transmission of energy. New technologies and strategies must be developed for ‘Using less & doing more’. Whatever new solutions may be developed in the future, it can be expected that tungsten based components and materials will surely play their constructive part in meeting these obstacles.

Tungsten products have contributed a lot in the past both as advanced tools and functional materials with marvelous properties. This contribution will not reduce in the approaching future. Recent deliberations on global warming and the conclusion that some greenhouse gases are responsible for the majority of observed temperature increase since the starting of twentieth century, have brought reduction calls in emissions which will stipulate a more careful handling of fossil energy globally.

The search for substitutes will be increased, as oil, coal and natural gas reserves are being depleted and the necessity to use existing renewable and natural resources is also gradually increasing. In near future, there is a huge opportunity for tungsten containingproducts which have tactical significance in the field of fossil energy, power transmission, fossil energy production, or renewable power generation, and power distribution, because of their brilliant properties. 

Sapphire- An Element with Unique Properties

Sapphire is one of the most durable, hardest and scratch-resistant materials. It was first synthesized in 1902. The process of making synthetic Sapphire is called as Verneuil process. Only experts can differentiate between synthetic and natural Sapphire. It offers a broad transmission range from Ultra Violet to mid infrared wavelengths (250–4500 nm). The material is able to bear up extreme temperature changes and environmental conditions.

The most valuable color of Sapphire is a cornflower blue color, also known as Cornflower Blue Sapphire or Kashmir Sapphire. A unique type of sapphire, known as color changing Sapphire, shows various color patterns depending upon the lightening. In natural light, it is blue, but in artificial light, it is violet. Pink and yellow Sapphire has recently become very popular, and is often used in jewelry.

Sapphire mainly consists of minor inclusions of minute slender Rutile needles. These inclusions decrease the transparency and clearness of a stone and are called as silk. In dense and parallel groupings, the inclusions can actually improve by allowing polished Sapphires to exhibit asterism (a prominent star like pattern). Sapphire gems displaying asterism are called as ‘Star Sapphires’, and these are highly expensive.

It is pleochroic, displays an intense and lighter color when viewed at different angles. Some pleochroic Sapphire is purple when viewed at one angle, and blue at a different angle. Color zoning, which is created from growth layers that build up at the time of the formation of the stone, may also be present in certain Sapphires. Color zoning is certainly responsible for darker and lighter colors of Sapphire. Many Sapphire gemstones are even multicolored such as pink, blue and purple.

Machining sapphire is very complex and difficult process. Its machining requires special types of tools and techniques. An ideal machining procedure is possible only if favorable conditions are provided. Diamond tooling method is highly used in machining sapphire. It is a tough and durable element and  only natural gemstone harder than Diamond. Inspite of this, Sapphire is still subject to fracture and chipping if handled roughly.