My watch list

Tantalum carbide

Tantalum carbide

Other names	tantalum (IV) carbide
Identifiers
CAS number	12070-06-3
Properties
Molecular formula	TaC
Molar mass	192.959 g/mol
Appearance	black-gray odorless powder
Density	13.9 g/cm³, solid
Melting point	3880°C
Boiling point	5500°C
Solubility in water	insoluble
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS
EU classification	not listed
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Tantalum carbide (Ta C) is an extremely hard refractory ceramic material, commercially used in tool bits for cutting tools. It is a heavy, brown powder usually processed by sintering, and an important cermet material. It is sometimes used as a fine-crystalline additive to tungsten carbide alloys. Tantalum carbide has the distinction of being the stoichiometric binary compound with the highest known melting point, at 4150 K (3880°C) ^[1]. The substoichiometric compound TaC_0.89 has a higher melting point, near 4270 K (4000°C)^[2].

Additional recommended knowledge

Dusts from grinding can be flammable.

Substances to avoid are: flammable gases (dust may form explosive mixtures with gases)

References

^ CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 85th Edition, 2004, ISBN 0-8493-0485-7
^ The Inorganic Chemistry of Materials: How to Make Things Out Of Elements, P.J. van der Put, 1998, ISBN 0306457318, p. 129

Categories: Carbides | Tantalum compounds | Refractory materials