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Mineral resource of the month: tantalum

January 1, 2004
Tantalum is a metal that is critical to the United States because of its defense-related applications in aircraft, missiles and radio communications. It is ductile, easily fabricated, highly resistant to corrosion by acids, a good conductor of heat and electricity, and has a high melting point. Tantalum’s first commercial usage was as filament material in incandescent electric lamps in the early 1900s.
Publication Year 2004
Title Mineral resource of the month: tantalum
Authors Larry D. Cunningham
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Geotimes
Index ID 70044914
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization National Minerals Information Center
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