FabDigit

Refractory Metal Pure Ta CW Hard

Supply condition

UNS R05200 · ASTM B365 · also Ta CP

CW Hard = heavily cold worked wire/foil

Fine wire, springs and capacitor lead wire where maximum strength and stiffness per section is required.

Specialty cost $$$$$

Values for the CW Hard condition

Other Pure Ta tempers and conditions

Pure Ta is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Pure Ta.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
R05400
Choose for sputtering targets, high-temperature furnace parts and implants where low interstitial content, large grain purity and maximum ductility are required.1502254285 HB13.2 % IACS
recrystallized, softest condition
Default stocked condition for sheet, plate, rod and tube: maximum ductility for deep drawing, spinning, bending and lining work, and lowest gas content.1702503895 HB12.8 % IACS
R05200
Standard commercial purity route (ASTM B708/B365 type R05200); slightly higher interstitials and strength than EB-melted material, adequate for chemical equipment.18026035100 HB12.5 % IACS
partially annealed, worked structure retained
Pick when dimensional stability and springback control are needed but full recrystallization softness is not wanted; keeps a useful part of the cold-worked strength.27034020128 HB12.6 % IACS
cold rolled, not annealed (approx. 40–70 % CW)
Use for stiffer sheet, foil, shielding and target backing plates where higher yield strength matters more than drawability.390450888 HRB12.3 % IACS
CW HardThis page
Heavily cold worked wire/foil
Fine wire, springs and capacitor lead wire where maximum strength and stiffness per section is required.560620320 HRC12.4 % IACS

What is Pure Ta CW Hard?

Pure Ta CW Hard is Pure Ta supplied in the CW Hard condition — fine wire, springs and capacitor lead wire where maximum strength and stiffness per section is required. Pure Ta CW Hard has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 78% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 186 GPa (27 Msi). Pure Ta CW Hard has a density of 16.6 g/cm³ (0.6 lb/in³), heavier than 84% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 2,996°C (5,425 °F). Vacuum Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CW Hard is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Good corrosion resistance — 96/100, better than 96% of refractory metal grades
  • High strength — 560 MPa (81.2 ksi), better than 78% of refractory metal grades

Limitations

  • Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 100% of refractory metal grades
  • High embodied carbon — 260 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 92% of refractory metal grades
  • Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 88% of refractory metal grades
  • Heavy — 16.6 g/cm³ (0.6 lb/in³), worse than 84% of refractory metal grades

Pure Ta CW Hard properties

Typical room-temperature values for Pure Ta CW Hard; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Pure Ta reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among refractory metal grades.

Physical3

Pure Ta CW Hard has a density of 16.6 g/cm³ (0.6 lb/in³), heavier than 84% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 2,996°C (5,425 °F).

Density16.6 g/cm³0.6 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)2,996°C5,425 °F
Liquidus Temperature2,996°C5,425 °F

Mechanical13

Pure Ta CW Hard has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 78% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 186 GPa (27 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus186 GPa27 Msi
Shear Modulus69 GPa10 Msi
Bulk Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)620 MPa89.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)560 MPa81.2 ksi
Elongation at Break3%
Reduction in Area40%
Shear Strength370 MPa53.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)300 MPa43.5 ksi
Hardness, Brinell208 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B95 HRB
Hardness, Vickers220 HV

Thermal6

Pure Ta CW Hard is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 55 W/m·K (31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 67% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 6.5 µm/m·K (3.61 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity140 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)6.5 µm/m·K3.6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion202 J/g86.8 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)250°C482 °F
Min Service Temperature-269°C-452 °F

Electrical3

Pure Ta CW Hard conducts electricity at 12.4 % IACS, better than 68% of refractory metal grades.

Electrical Conductivity12.4 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.39×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.47 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic (paramagnetic, relative permeability ≈ 1.00002)

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (96/100), better than 96% of refractory metal grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.1 V
Corrosion ResistanceExcellent96/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryImmune to nearly all acids up to 150 °C, including boiling HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, aqua regia and most organics; attacked only by hydrofluoric acid, fluoride-bearing media, fuming SO3, hot concentrated alkalis and molten alkali metals; absorbs hydrogen and embrittles under cathodic charging.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Pure Ta CW Hard takes about 4,200 MJ of energy and emits 260 kg of CO₂ — more than 91% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)4,200 MJ/kg1,805,677 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)260 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water700 L/kg83.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability8

Pure Ta CW Hard's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 81% of refractory metal grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (25/100).

MachinabilityFair35/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)30%
WeldabilityGood55/100
Formability (cold)Poor25/100
CastabilityNot recommended10/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responseexcellent - anodic Ta2O5 barrier films are the basis of tantalum capacitors and give colored decorative/implant finishes

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Pure Ta CW Hard

Is Pure Ta easy to machine?

Very gummy and prone to galling: use sharp high-positive-rake carbide or HSS, slow speeds (~15–25 m/min), heavy feed, generous chlorinated or emulsion coolant, and never let the tool dwell.

Can Pure Ta be welded?

GTAW/EBW/laser welds cleanly only in vacuum or high-purity argon/helium chambers with full backside shielding — any O₂, N₂ or H₂ pickup above ~50 ppm causes severe embrittlement; no filler normally needed.

Can Pure Ta be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability — deep drawing, spinning, hydroforming and tight bends in the annealed state; use non-galling tooling with PTFE/oil interlayers and interstage vacuum anneals at 1000–1300 °C.

What surface finishes work on Pure Ta?

Pickle in HF/HNO₃ to remove oxide, then electropolish for chemical or implant service; anodizing produces stable colored Ta₂O₅ films, and no paint or plating is needed for corrosion protection.

Pure Ta chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Nbprincipal metallic impurity≤ 0.10.03
Ointerstitial; embrittles if high≤ 0.020.01
N≤ 0.010
C≤ 0.010
H≤ 05×10⁻⁴
W≤ 0.050.01
Mo≤ 0.020.01
Fe≤ 0.010
Ti≤ 0.010
Ni≤ 0.010
Si≤ 0.010
Tabalance, metallic basis (Nb excluded from purity count per ASTM)≥ 99.9 (balance)

Pure Ta CW Hard — frequently asked

What is Pure Ta CW Hard used for?

Pure Ta CW Hard is typically used for chemical process vessel liners and cladding, heat exchanger tubing and bayonet heaters, capacitor anodes, surgical implants and radiopaque markers, rupture discs and thermowells and furnace heat shields and crucibles. In short: corrosion-proof tantalum plate.

What is the yield strength of Pure Ta CW Hard?

Pure Ta CW Hard has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 78% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is Pure Ta CW Hard easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 81% of refractory metal grades). Very gummy and prone to galling: use sharp high-positive-rake carbide or HSS, slow speeds (~15–25 m/min), heavy feed, generous chlorinated or emulsion coolant, and never let the tool dwell.

Can Pure Ta CW Hard be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). GTAW/EBW/laser welds cleanly only in vacuum or high-purity argon/helium chambers with full backside shielding — any O₂, N₂ or H₂ pickup above ~50 ppm causes severe embrittlement; no filler normally needed.

What surface finishes work on Pure Ta CW Hard?

Pickle in HF/HNO₃ to remove oxide, then electropolish for chemical or implant service; anodizing produces stable colored Ta₂O₅ films, and no paint or plating is needed for corrosion protection.

Can Pure Ta CW Hard be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability — deep drawing, spinning, hydroforming and tight bends in the annealed state; use non-galling tooling with PTFE/oil interlayers and interstage vacuum anneals at 1000–1300 °C.

What is the maximum service temperature of Pure Ta CW Hard?

Pure Ta CW Hard is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ASTM B708 — Tantalum and Tantalum Alloy Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2021)
  2. ASTM B365 — Tantalum and Tantalum Alloy Rod and Wire — ASTM International (2018)
  3. ASTM B521 — Tantalum and Tantalum Alloy Seamless and Welded Tubes — ASTM International (2018)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Refractory Metals and Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics — CRC Press (2020)
  6. Tantalum metal product data (sheet, rod, tube) — H.C. Starck / Global Advanced Metals (2022)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.