From rocket nozzles to biomedical implants, two refractory metals, niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta), are enabling innovation in some of the most demanding environments on Earth and beyond. With exceptional thermal stability, outstanding corrosion resistance and unique electronic properties, these elements and their alloys are indispensable in aerospace, defense, electronics and energy applications. Additional uses are being found for these materials every day, which means that understanding their properties, applications and supply chain challenges has never been more critical.
The Unique Properties of Niobium and Tantalum
Both niobium and tantalum are characterized by:
Tantalum is distinguished by its extreme corrosion resistance, making it highly resistant to hot acids and liquid metals. Its high melting point of 2,996°C allows it to maintain strength in environments where most metals would fail. With a high density, tantalum can effectively block radiation, providing value in shielding applications. Just as importantly, its high dielectric coefficient means it can store large amounts of electrical energy in a very small volume, making it indispensable for miniaturized capacitors and advanced electronic devices.
Niobium, while sharing many traits with tantalum, brings additional advantages. Its superconducting properties - with a transition temperature of 9.2 K - make it central to high-field magnets used in particle accelerators and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Niobium alloys also demonstrate excellent high-temperature strength and creep resistance, enabling their use in aerospace propulsion, hypersonic and other environments where both thermal conductivity and structural stability are critical.
Established and Emerging Applications
The applications of niobium and tantalum span an impressive range, from structural materials to microelectronics.
In aerospace and defense, niobium-based alloys are widely used in rocket propulsion systems, including propulsion nozzles for satellites and launch vehicles. In these harsh environments, high reliability is non-negotiable. The role of refractory metals is only growing. NASA is developing layered shielding structures that integrate tantalum to extend the lifespan of satellite electronics in low-Earth orbit.
In the electronics industry, tantalum is indispensable. More than half of all tantalum consumption is devoted to capacitors, where its high dielectric constant enables miniaturization without sacrificing reliability. Tantalum capacitors are mission-critical components in avionics, guidance and communication systems. Sputtered tantalum is also used as a barrier layer in semiconductor manufacturing, ensuring adhesion and stability in microchip architectures.
The chemical processing industry relies on both metals for their exceptional corrosion resistance and stability at high temperatures. Tantalum sheet linings in reactor columns, tubing for heat exchangers, and other process equipment extend service life in aggressive acid environments where alternative materials quickly degrade. Niobium serves similar roles in corrosion applications and is often added to nickel-based superalloys to improve the performance of critical aerospace components.
Energy applications are rapidly expanding as well. Niobium rods are critical superconductor components of low temperature, high strength magnets required for Tokomak (magnetically confined) fusion energy. Niobium is poised to be disruptive for advanced lithium-ion batteries, as it is being used in high-power, fast-charging niobium-based mixed oxides for anodes which improves rate capability, ionic conductivity, safety, and battery life.
In the medical field, tantalum’s biocompatibility supports innovative biomedical devices, from embolization powders to orthopedic implants. Advances in additive manufacturing now enable the design of complex tantalum structures that mimic trabecular bone, improving osseointegration and long-term implant stability.
Supply Chain Challenges
Despite their critical importance, the supply of niobium and tantalum remains geographically concentrated and vulnerable. Brazil dominates niobium production, accounting for nearly 90% of global output, while Canada supplies another 8%. Tantalum, by contrast, is primarily mined in Central Africa, often through artisanal mining, with Brazil and Australia contributing additional supply.
The lack of domestic U.S. sources and dependence on foreign production has placed both metals on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Critical Minerals List, highlighting the need for stable supply chains to support national security and economic competitiveness. Recent initiatives, including the U.S. Energy Act of 2020, underscore the urgency of diversifying sources and investing in secondary processing and recycling.
Looking Toward the Future
As industries continue to evolve, the versatility of niobium and tantalum ensures their role as enabling materials for next-generation technologies. From supporting hypersonic applications and nuclear fusion to advancing biomedical devices and high-performance electronics, their value extends across nearly every sector where performance at the extremes is required.
Learn more about niobium and tantalum, including our industry-leading grain size and texture control technology, on our website. You can also watch the webinar we presented on the topic, hosted by ASM International.