Tantalum wire hardness

The hardness of tantalum wire usually depends on its purity and how it is processed. Generally speaking, tantalum wire with higher purity is usually weaker, while tantalum wire that has undergone some processing processes can have higher hardness. Here are some approximate ranges of tantalum hardness values:

Higher purity tantalum: usually has a lower hardness, similar to iron or aluminum. Hardness can be measured on the Vickers hardness (HV) scale, which is approximately between 50 HV and 200 HV.

Cold worked tantalum: The hardness of tantalum can be significantly increased by cold working such as rolling, drawing or extrusion. Cold working causes the crystal structure to become closer, thus increasing hardness. The hardness of treated tantalum can reach over 300 HV.

It is important to note that the hardness of tantalum is closely related to its specific use and handling. In some high-temperature applications, such as the aerospace or nuclear industries, higher-hardness tantalum may be preferred because it maintains strength and stability in high-temperature environments. However, in other applications, softer tantalum may be more suitable because it can be more easily machined into the desired shape. Hardness can also be adjusted through alloying and heat treatment to meet the requirements of different uses.