| Chemical Properties | white to white-beige powder |
| Chemical Properties | Tantalum pentoxide, Ta2O5, is a white powder existing in two thermodynamically stable modifications. The orthorombic b-phase changes at 1,360 °C (2,480 °F) into the tetragonal a-modification. The existence of an e-modification has also been reported. Tantalum pentoxide reacts slowly with hot hydrofluoric acid but is insoluble in water and in most solutions of acids and alkalies. For analytical purposes, it can be dissolved by fusion with alkali hydroxides, alkali carbonates, and potassium pyrosulfate. |
| Physical properties | White orthorhombic crystal or powder; density 8.20 g/cm3; melts at 1,785°C; insoluble in water, ethanol and practically all acids; soluble in hydrofluoric acid; solubilized by fusion with caustic potash or potassium hydrogen sulfate. |
| Uses | Tantalum oxide is used to make optical glass for lenses and in electronic circuits. |
| Uses | Tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) is used to make special optical glass, for lasers, and in electronic
circuits.
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| Uses | Tantalum pentoxide is used in making high refractive index optical glass; as a dielectric film on tantalum for its use as a capacitor component and rectifier; and for preparing tantalum metal, its carbide, and many other tantalum compounds.
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| Preparation | Tantalum pentoxide is obtained as an intermediate in extracting tantalum from the columbite-tantalite series of minerals. Also, the oxide can be made by heating Ta metal in oxygen or air at elevated temperatures.
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| General Description | Tantalum pentoxide is dielectric in nature making it useful for making capacitors in the electronics industry. |
| Hazard | TLV: 5 mg/m3. |
| Flammability and Explosibility | Nonflammable |
| Safety Profile | Mildly toxic by ingestion. Incompatible with ClF3, BrF3, Li. See also TANTALUM. |
