The hardness of tantalum wire usually depends on its purity and treatment. In general, tantalum wires with higher purity are usually weaker, and tantalum wires with some treatment processes can have higher hardness. The following are the approximate ranges of hardness values for some tantalum:
Higher purity tantalum: Usually has a lower hardness, similar to iron or aluminum. Hardness can be measured on the Vickers Hardness (HV) scale, between approximately 50 HV and 200 HV.
Tantalum after cold processing: The hardness of tantalum can be significantly increased by cold processing, such as rolling, drawing or extrusion. Cold working causes the crystal structure to become more compact, which increases hardness. The hardness of the treated tantalum can reach more than 300 HV.
It should be noted that the hardness of tantalum is closely related to its specific use and treatment. In some high-temperature applications, such as aerospace or the nuclear industry, the higher hardness of tantalum may be more popular because it can maintain strength and stability in high-temperature environments. However, in other applications, softer tantalum may be more suitable because it can be more easily machined into the desired shape. The hardness can also be adjusted by alloying and heat treatment to meet the requirements of different applications.
