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%

GF01901539

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

GF11770714

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

GF83507238

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

GF39646042

Tantalum, rod, 1000mm, diameter 1.5mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF07996427

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

GF02019956

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

GF26536057

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

GF45711806

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

GF42889517

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

GF87514421

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

GF92504628

Tantalum, rod, 1000mm, diameter 1.0mm, 99.9%

GF15417154

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.9%

GF50730106

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.9%

GF37917164

Tantalum, rod, 500mm, diameter 1.5mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF00815958

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.001mm, 99.9%

GF26860787

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

GF48352798

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

GF93583378

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

GF33704142

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

GF40007933

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

GF30438660

Tantalum, wire reel, 50m, diameter 0.30mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF64896003

Tantalum, wire reel, 1m, diameter 0.25mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF04389239

Tantalum, tube, 500mm, outside diameter 5.0mm, inside diameter 4.4mm, wall thickness 0.3mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF15979494

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

GF66426431

Tantalum, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 12.7mm, inside diameter 11.7mm, wall thickness 0.5mm, annealed, 99.9%