Tantalum (Ta)
Discovered in 1802, tantalum occurs mainly in columbite-tantalite minerals. The first relatively pure ductile tantalum was produced in 1903.
Tantalum is gray, heavy, and very hard. In pure form, it's ductile and, when formed into wire, is used as a filament for evaporating aluminum and other metals. It's used to increase the melting points, strength, and ductility of alloys. Natural tantalum has two isotopes; a total of twenty-five are known.
This element is also used in electrolytic capacitors, vacuum furnace parts, chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, aircraft and missile parts, and surgical appliances.