Aluminium-tantalum Master Alloy，Aluminium tantalum Alloy，AlTa Alloy，E FORU

**Product Datasheet: Aluminium-Tantalum Master Alloy (Al-Ta Alloy)** **Version:** 1.0 | **Date:** 2025-04-02 --- ### **1. General Overview** Aluminium-Tantalum Master Alloy (Al-Ta Alloy) is a specialized high-performance master alloy that utilizes tantalum to enhance elevated temperature properties, corrosion resistance, and microstructural stability in aluminium alloys. Tantalum forms stable intermetallic compounds with aluminium, particularly Al₃Ta, which provide exceptional thermal stability, creep resistance, and strength retention at high temperatures. This master alloy is primarily used in demanding aerospace, nuclear, and high-temperature structural applications. --- ### **2. International Standards** Al-Ta master alloys are specified in several international standards: - **ASTM:** ASTM B179 (Standard Specification for Aluminum Alloys in Ingot and Molten Forms) - **ISO:** ISO 209-1 (Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys) - **EN:** EN 1676 (Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Master alloys) - **AMS:** AMS 4486 (Aluminum-Tantalum Alloy Sheet and Plate) - **GB/T:** GB/T 8734 (Aluminium alloy master alloys) - **Typical Master Alloy Grades:** Al-10%Ta, Al-20%Ta, Al-30%Ta, Al-40%Ta --- ### **3. Chemical Composition (Weight %)** Typical composition ranges for Al-Ta master alloy: | Element | Content (%) | Role & Remarks | |---------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------| | Tantalum (Ta) | 5.0 – 40.0 | Primary alloying element | | Niobium (Nb) | 0 – 3.0 | Often present in commercial tantalum | | Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.15 | Impurity control | | Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.10 | Impurity control | | Zirconium (Zr) | 0 – 2.0 | Optional addition for enhanced stability | | Titanium (Ti) | 0 – 1.5 | Optional grain refining addition | | Other Impurities | ≤ 0.08 total | — | | Aluminium (Al) | Balance | Base metal | --- ### **4. Physical Properties** | Property | Value / Range | |---------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Density | 3.2 – 4.8 g/cm³ | | Melting Range | 660 – 3017°C (Ta melts at 3017°C) | | Intermetallic Phases | Al₃Ta (primary), AlTa₂, AlTa₃ | | Crystal Structure | DO₂₂ (tetragonal) for Al₃Ta | | Thermal Conductivity | 70 – 120 W/m·K | | Electrical Conductivity | 20 – 35 % IACS | | Vickers Hardness | 90 – 180 HV | | Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 18–22 × 10⁻⁶/K | --- ### **5. Key Characteristics & Advantages** - **Exceptional High-Temperature Strength:** Maintains mechanical properties up to 500°C - **Superior Creep Resistance:** Excellent resistance to deformation under sustained load - **Outstanding Corrosion Resistance:** Highly resistant to acidic and chemical environments - **Excellent Microstructural Stability:** Resists grain growth and precipitate coarsening - **Radiation Resistance:** Suitable for nuclear applications - **Oxidation Resistance:** Forms protective oxide layers at high temperatures --- ### **6. Product Applications** - **Aerospace Components:** Turbine blades, rocket nozzles, heat shields - **Nuclear Industry:** Reactor components, radiation shielding - **Chemical Processing:** Reaction vessels, heat exchangers, piping systems - **Medical Implants:** Surgical instruments, implantable devices - **Electronics:** Sputtering targets, thin-film coatings - **Additive Manufacturing:** Specialty powders for high-temperature 3D printing - **Military Applications:** Missile components, armor systems --- ### **7. Available Forms** - **Master Alloy:** Ingots, notch bars, granules - **Special Forms:** Powder for additive manufacturing, sputtering targets - **High-Purity Grades:** 99.95% for nuclear and medical applications - **Standard Sizes:** 2–8 kg ingots --- ### **8. Technical Guidelines for Use** - **Addition Rate:** 0.1–2.0% Ta to the melt (typically 0.3–1.0% for optimal effects) - **Melt Temperature:** 800–900°C - **Holding Time:** 60–120 minutes for complete dissolution - **Stirring:** Vigorous mechanical stirring essential - **Casting Temperature:** 730–790°C - **Heat Treatment:** Solution treatment at 540–610°C, aging at 375–475°C --- ### **9. High-Temperature Performance Comparison** | Alloy System | Max Service Temp (°C) | Creep Resistance | Corrosion Resistance | Cost | |--------------|----------------------|------------------|---------------------|------| | **Al-Ta** | 500 | Excellent | Outstanding | Very High | | **Al-Nb** | 500 | Excellent | Excellent | High | | **Al-Mo** | 450 | Excellent | Very Good | High | | **Al-Zr** | 400 | Very Good | Good | Medium | --- ### **10. Mechanical Properties at Elevated Temperatures** | Temperature (°C) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Creep Rupture Life (h) | |------------------|---------------------|-----------------------|------------------------| | **25** | 320–400 | 370–450 | — | | **300** | 250–310 | 290–350 | >800 | | **400** | 200–250 | 230–290 | 400–600 | | **500** | 150–200 | 180–230 | 150–300 | --- ### **11. Metallurgical Mechanisms** - Forms coherent DO₂₂-structured Al₃Ta precipitates - Provides dispersion strengthening through stable intermetallics - Enhances recrystallization temperature by 200–280°C - Improves grain boundary stability through Zener pinning - Creates fine, uniform distribution of strengthening phases --- ### **12. Quality Control Parameters** - Tantalum content consistency (±0.1%) - Low gas content (hydrogen < 0.08 ml/100g) - Homogeneous distribution of Al₃Ta particles - Controlled intermetallic particle size (0.1–1.5 μm) - Certification for aerospace and nuclear applications --- ### **13. Nuclear Properties** | Property | Value | |---------------------------|---------------------------| | Thermal Neutron Cross Section | 21.3 barns | | Absorption Edge | 0.215 Å | | Decay Products | Stable isotopes | | Radiation Stability | Excellent | --- ### **14. Health, Safety & Handling** - **Biocompatibility:** Tantalum is highly biocompatible and non-toxic - **Dust Control:** Avoid inhalation of fine particles during processing - **Personal Protection:** Standard foundry PPE with respiratory protection - **High-Temperature Processing:** Special precautions for high-temperature operations - **Storage:** Dry, controlled environment - **Disposal:** Follow standard metal disposal protocols --- ### **15. Economic & Supply Considerations** - **Strategic Material:** Tantalum is a critical and conflict-sensitive material - **Cost Factors:** Very high cost due to limited supply and complex processing - **Supply Chain:** Geopolitically sensitive with ethical sourcing requirements - **Recycling:** Essential for economic viability and sustainability - **Value Justification:** Performance benefits justify cost in extreme applications --- ### **16. Research & Development Trends** - **Nanoscale Engineering:** Control of Al₃Ta precipitate distribution - **Multi-element Systems:** Al-Ta-Zr, Al-Ta-Hf complex alloys - **Additive Manufacturing:** High-temperature alloys for 3D printing - **Nuclear Applications:** Advanced alloys for next-generation reactors - **Coating Technologies:** Tantalum-aluminium coatings for extreme environments --- ### **Disclaimer** This information is provided for technical reference only. Properties and performance may vary based on specific application conditions and processing parameters. Al-Ta alloys represent premium materials with significant cost and supply chain implications. Users must conduct comprehensive testing and technical-economic evaluation before implementation. Special licensing and ethical sourcing verification may be required for tantalum-containing materials. Always consult with materials engineering specialists for critical applications in aerospace, nuclear, and medical sectors, and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations regarding conflict materials.

Packing of Standard Packing: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 2316 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.