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

692824

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, powder, 60-100 mesh, 99.9%

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

GF77910082

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.015mm, 99.9%

GF78243240

Tantalum, foil, 50mm disks, thickness 0.0075mm, 99.9%

GF48352798

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.006mm, 99.9%

GF66499891

Tantalum, foil, 6mm disks, thickness 0.02mm, 99.9%

GF27272167

Tantalum, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.025mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF01901539

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.002mm, 99.9%

GF81182820

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.005mm, 99.9%

GF80022990

Tantalum, rod, 50mm, diameter 6.35mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF11770714

Tantalum, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 1.02mm, inside diameter 0.86mm, wall thickness 0.08mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF26536057

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.004mm, 99.9%

GF02019956

Tantalum, mesh, 40x40mm, nominal aperture 0.43mm, wire diameter 0.075mm, 50x50 wires/inch, open area 72%, plain weave mesh

GF18330780

Tantalum, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.006mm, 99.9%

GF40838632

Tantalum, foil, 6mm disks, thickness 0.0075mm, 99.9%

GF89833854

Tantalum, foil, 4mm disks, thickness 0.5mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF42889517

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

GF38684964

Tantalum, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.25mm, annealed, 99.99%

GF29232109

Tantalum, foil, 6mm disks, thickness 0.5mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF93583378

Tantalum, rod, 25mm, diameter 18mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF98666230

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 150x150mm, thickness 0.03mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF55756075

Tantalum, rod, 100mm, diameter 1.7mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF72299829

Tantalum, tube, 1000mm, outside diameter 3.0mm, inside diameter 2mm, wall thickness 0.5mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF53850371

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

GF50892790

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

GF42703332

Tantalum, rod, 200mm, diameter 1.5mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF33704142

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.009mm, 99.9%

GF63410048

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.0075mm, 99.9%

GF89056648

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