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

692824

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, powder, 60-100 mesh, 99.9%

GF03595305

Tantalum, foil, 10mm disks, thickness 0.0075mm, 99.9%

GF97180870

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

GF07363953

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

GF69110759

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

GF77910082

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.015mm, 99.9%

GF84327510

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

GF15129817

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

GF00815958

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

GF91998253

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.025mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF90076989

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

GF64866202

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

GF84918381

Tantalum, foil, 50mm disks, thickness 0.034mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF93289090

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.004mm, 99.9%

GF96724480

Tantalum, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.20mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF11923589

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.006mm, 99.9%

GF19254472

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

GF59129826

Tantalum, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 3.5mm, inside diameter 3.1mm, wall thickness 0.2mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF15417154

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

GF24352028

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

GF98156144

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

GF02019956

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

GF15979494

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

GF87514421

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

GF50730106

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

GF71730738

Tantalum, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 1.05mm, inside diameter 0.65mm, wall thickness 0.2mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF55545149

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

GF22807144

Tantalum, rod, 200mm, diameter 2.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF48352798

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