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%

GF07363953

Tantalum, foil, 10mm disks, thickness 0.0125mm, 99.9%

GF69110759

Tantalum, foil, 10mm disks, thickness 0.015mm, 99.9%

GF97180870

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.9%

GF79543110

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

GF80066392

Tantalum, pellets, 100g, max. size 10mm, 99.9%

GF98666230

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

GF52742099

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.034mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF33704142

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

GF19254472

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.0005mm, 99.9%

GF24352028

Tantalum, rod, 100mm, diameter 6.35mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF83507238

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.03mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF98156144

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.0015mm, 99.9%

GF15979494

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.075mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF64195780

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

GF55545149

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

GF87514421

Tantalum, rod, 50mm, diameter 12.7mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF26860787

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

GF65369324

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

GF15129817

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.9%

GF90076989

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.0015mm, 99.9%

GF38737929

Tantalum, pellets, 20g, max. size 10mm, 99.9%

GF37455970

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

GF35432221

Tantalum, rod, 50mm, diameter 10.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF42703332

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

GF64866202

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 82x100mm, thickness 0.006mm, 99.9%

GF23427873

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

GF84327510

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.9%