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%

GF97180870

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

GF24472616

Tantalum, foil, 50mm disks, thickness 0.075mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF64539872

Tantalum, foil, 15mm disks, thickness 0.75mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF39160098

Tantalum, foil, 2m coil, thickness 0.04mm, coil width .65mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF40567440

Tantalum, foil, 25mm disks, thickness 0.025mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF47210004

Tantalum, foil, 15mm disks, thickness 0.034mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF27272167

Tantalum, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.025mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF55544283

Tantalum, foil, 25mm disks, thickness 0.015mm, 99.9%

GF55289548

Tantalum, foil, 15mm disks, thickness 0.5mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF62916318

Tantalum, foil, 10mm disks, thickness 0.75mm, annealed, 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%

GF42889517

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

GF29232109

Tantalum, foil, 6mm disks, thickness 0.5mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF15731186

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.9%

GF50730106

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

GF66499891

Tantalum, foil, 6mm disks, thickness 0.02mm, 99.9%

GF63410048

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.0075mm, 99.9%

GF89056648

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.9%

GF35633785

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.015mm, 99.9%

GF42443984

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.9%

GF91998253

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

GF53850371

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.9%

GF52742099

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.034mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF19254472

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

GF15417154

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

GF38737929

Tantalum, pellets, 20g, max. size 10mm, 99.9%