COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS AND DATASHEET OF UNS R05200 PURE TANTALUM FASTENERS
UNS R05200 represents commercially pure, unalloyed Tantalum produced via electron-beam (EB) or vacuum-arc reduction (VAR) melting. In the realm of industrial metallurgy, Tantalum is the ultimate failsafe. It possesses a legendary, glass-like immunity to chemical attack, exhibiting a corrosion rate of virtually zero in boiling concentrated hydrochloric, nitric, and phosphoric acids. Where premium superalloys like Titanium, Hastelloy, and Zirconium dissolve or pit, Tantalum survives indefinitely.
While it is incredibly dense (over twice the weight of steel) and possesses a staggering melting point of 2,996°C (5,425°F), pure Tantalum is surprisingly ductile at room temperature. Because it mirrors the chemical inertness of glass, UNS R05200 fasteners are the globally mandated hardware for patching and repairing glass-lined chemical reactors, securing internal components in aggressive pharmaceutical synthesis vessels, and serving in critical biocompatible medical implants.
■ Product Overview & Specifications
| Material Classification | Commercially Pure Tantalum (EB or VAR Melted) |
|---|---|
| UNS Designation | R05200 |
| Microstructure | Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) |
| Magnetic State | Completely Non-Magnetic |
| Density | 16.60 g/cm³ (0.600 lb/in³) — Exceptionally Heavy |
| Size Range | Metric: M2 to M24 | Imperial: #2 to 1" |
| Primary Attribute | Glass-Like Immunity to Boiling Concentrated Acids |
■ Proprietary Datasheet Download (GATED)
UNS R05200 Pure Tantalum — Complete Technical Datasheet
Contains detailed installation procedures for glass-lined vessel repair plugs, exact PTFE washer compression limits, and comprehensive isocorrosion charts for aggressive acid concentrations.
⬇ DOWNLOAD DATASHEET■ MTC Integration Section
Tantalum is one of the most expensive industrial metals on earth, heavily categorized as a conflict mineral. Ananka provides absolute, audited supply-chain transparency. Every shipment includes EICC-compliant origin tracing and stringent chemical verification to ensure interstitial impurities (like Oxygen and Nitrogen) are virtually nonexistent.
- EN 10204 Type 3.1: Validates the 99.9% minimum Tantalum purity, ensures severe restriction of Niobium (Nb) and Tungsten (W), and confirms the fully annealed mechanical temper necessary to prevent brittle fracturing.
- EN 10204 Type 3.2: Available upon request for highly regulated pharmaceutical plant upgrades, defense-grade chemical weapons demilitarization facilities, and surgical implant manufacturing.
■ Chemical Composition
The R05200 specification mandates extreme purity. Tantalum has a violent affinity for absorbing gases (Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen) at high temperatures. If these gases contaminate the metal during melting or processing, the Tantalum becomes hopelessly brittle. Strict vacuum-arc or electron-beam melting ensures these interstitial impurities remain at parts-per-million (ppm) levels.
| Tantalum (Ta) | Niobium (Nb) | Oxygen (O) | Carbon (C) | Nitrogen (N) | Iron (Fe) / Tungsten (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.90 Min | 0.10 Max | 0.015 Max | 0.010 Max | 0.010 Max | 0.010 Max / 0.05 Max |
■ Mechanical Properties
| Mechanical Property | Typical Limits (Fully Annealed Temper) |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 30,000 - 45,000 psi (205 - 310 MPa) |
| Yield Strength | 20,000 - 30,000 psi (138 - 205 MPa) |
| Elongation (in 2 inches) | 20% - 30% |
| Hardness (Vickers) | ~ 110 HV (approx. 60 HRB) |
■ Equivalent Grades & Designations
| Standard / System | Designation |
|---|---|
| ASTM Specifications | ASTM B365 (Rod and Wire), ASTM B390 |
| Common Trade Names | Commercially Pure Tantalum, Unalloyed Ta |
| Medical Specifications | ASTM F560 (Unalloyed Tantalum for Surgical Implant) |
| European Equivalent | Ta99.9 (DIN 2.5220) |
■ Applications & Industries
- Chemical & Pharmaceutical Processing: Repair studs, nuts, and patching hardware for repairing microscopic cracks or impact damage in massive glass-lined chemical reactors.
- Advanced Fluid Handling: Internal fasteners for heat exchangers, U-tubes, and evaporators handling boiling concentrated sulfuric, hydrochloric, and nitric acids.
- Medical & Surgical: Orthopedic bone screws and cranial repair plates where 100% biocompatibility and radio-opacity (visibility on X-rays) are strictly required.
■ Compatible Fastener Assemblies
| Mating Bolts/Studs | Internal Threads (Nuts) | Washers / Sealing Components |
|---|---|---|
| R05200 Machined Studs & Screws | R05200 Precision Hex Nuts | Virgin PTFE / Teflon Gaskets & Washers |
■ Torque & Installation Guidelines
CRITICAL WARNING: Pure Tantalum is notoriously soft, "gummy," and highly prone to catastrophic thread galling. Threading a Tantalum nut onto a Tantalum bolt without severe friction is extremely difficult. They are rarely torqued highly. In chemical patching applications, Tantalum hardware is almost always mated with thick PTFE (Teflon) washers; the goal is simply to compress the PTFE to form a liquid-tight seal, not to generate heavy structural clamping force.
| Nominal Diameter | Threads Per Inch (UNC) | Max Target Torque (in-lbs) — PTFE Lubricated |
|---|---|---|
| #10 | 24 | 12 - 15 |
| 1/4" | 20 | 30 - 35 |
| 3/8" | 16 | 80 - 90 |
| 1/2" | 13 | 180 - 200 |
■ Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why use Tantalum fasteners when Titanium or Hastelloy is much cheaper?
While Titanium and Hastelloy (Nickel alloys) are excellent in many corrosives, they have strict temperature and concentration limits. For example, in boiling 98% Sulfuric Acid or hot concentrated Hydrochloric Acid, Titanium and Hastelloy will rapidly corrode. Tantalum's natural oxide layer is virtually impenetrable by these acids. If the environment destroys premium superalloys, Tantalum is the final line of defense.
2. Are there any chemicals that CAN destroy Tantalum?
Yes. While it is immune to almost everything, Tantalum has a severe vulnerability to Hydrofluoric Acid (HF), hot fuming Sulfuric acid (Oleum), and strong, hot alkaline solutions (like concentrated Sodium Hydroxide). Exposure to Hydrofluoric acid will cause rapid, violent corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement of the fastener.
3. How are Tantalum fasteners used to repair glass-lined tanks?
Glass-lined steel reactors are used to synthesize highly aggressive chemicals, but the glass lining can chip if accidentally struck by a dropped tool. Rather than replacing a $100,000 vessel, maintenance crews drill out the chip, tap the steel beneath it, and thread a Tantalum repair stud (often called a "spud") into the hole. They then place a thick PTFE gasket over the stud and tighten down a Tantalum nut. Because Tantalum and PTFE match the chemical resistance of the glass, the reactor is safely sealed and returned to service.
