Biological performance of tantalum.

Biological performance of tantalum.

Clinical materials (1993-12-09)

J Black

ABSTRACT

A detailed literature search was carried out to define the current knowledge about the biological performance of tantalum. The pure metal appears, to a great degree, to be inert both in vivo and in vitro. Both the pure metal and its principle oxide possess low solubility and toxicity; however, halide compounds are more biologically active. Local host response is benign, characterized by vital encapsulation in soft tissue and frequent osteointegration, reminiscent of titanium, in hard tissue. Tantalum has been in clinical use since before 1940 and has found a wide range of diagnostic and implant applications, with apparently overall excellent results. In some applications, such as for radiographic bone markers and cranial closure, tantalum may well be the current material of choice. In summary, metallic tantalum is a promising biomaterial whose applications have been limited by technical rather than biological performance considerations.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

262846

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, powder, −325 mesh, 99.9% trace metals basis

357243

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, foil, thickness 0.05 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

692824

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, powder, 60-100 mesh, 99.9%

GF07996427

Tantalum, tube, 50mm, outside diameter 9.5mm, inside diameter 8.5mm, wall thickness 0.5mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF89056648

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.9%

GF28826152

Tantalum, rod, 50mm, diameter 18mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF42443984

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.9%

GF79543110

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 150x150mm, thickness 0.075mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF45711806

Tantalum, tube, 1000mm, outside diameter 2.1mm, inside diameter 1.6mm, wall thickness 0.25mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF64195780

Tantalum, tube, 1000mm, outside diameter 8.7mm, inside diameter 8.34mm, wall thickness 0.18mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF65369324

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.05mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF26860787

Tantalum, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 2.1mm, inside diameter 1.6mm, wall thickness 0.25mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF29247161

Tantalum, wire reel, 20m, diameter 0.125mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF50892790

Tantalum, rod, 500mm, diameter 2.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF97782452

Tantalum, rod, 100mm, diameter 2.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF87587959

Tantalum, wire reel, 1m, diameter 0.025mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF57597788

Tantalum, tube, 200mm, outside diameter 2.1mm, inside diameter 1.6mm, wall thickness 0.25mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF37455970

Tantalum, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 0.31mm, inside diameter 0.19mm, wall thickness 0.06mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF23427873

Tantalum, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 3.0mm, inside diameter 2mm, wall thickness 0.5mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF81996441

Tantalum, tube, 200mm, outside diameter 0.31mm, inside diameter 0.19mm, wall thickness 0.06mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF42889517

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 150x300mm, thickness 0.075mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF19544687

Tantalum, tube, 500mm, outside diameter 3.1mm, inside diameter 2.6mm, wall thickness 0.25mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF93289090

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.004mm, 99.9%

GF55545149

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.02mm, 99.9%

GF22807144

Tantalum, rod, 200mm, diameter 2.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF40007933

Tantalum, rod, 100mm, diameter 3.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF49555378

Tantalum, tube, 500mm, outside diameter 0.31mm, inside diameter 0.19mm, wall thickness 0.06mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF13043506

Tantalum, wire reel, 20m, diameter 0.30mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF53850371

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.9%

GF93990628

Tantalum, tube, 500mm, outside diameter 0.80mm, inside diameter 0.50mm, wall thickness 0.15mm, as drawn, 99.9%