Rare metal materials technology in the field of materials science and engineering in the new century is one of the important subjects, is a key material, high and new technology development of tantalum niobium new materials such as tantalum bar and tantalum wire play an important role in it. Modern high-tech such as information technology, new energy technology, space technology, biotechnology, superconductivity technology and other developments are closely related to rare metal materials, especially tantalum niobium new materials. Tantalum niobium new materials have more and more development space in high-tech field. Secondly, the cutting tool of hard alloy is developing towards the direction of super hard and micro fine tip. Tantalum-niobium application in aerospace industry tantalum-niobium base alloy and other special alloys will continue to develop steadily. In recent years, special niobium steel demand continues to grow, in addition to developed countries, third world countries also have demand. Special superconducting materials will be used in a large number of magnet materials and high-tech computing technology, and is being further developed, tantalum niobium materials will continue to be developed in new applications. According to the development of the world's high-tech industry, tantalum niobium industry will maintain a growth rate of more than 12% in the next 5-10 years.

Current situation

China's tantalum niobium industry started from the basic research in the mid-1950s, and gradually began the production of extraction, smelting, processing and application in the 1960s. The scale, technical level, product grade and quality of smelting and processing in the initial stage are far from that of developed countries.

Tantalum plate manufacturers main products and performance

At present, tantalum niobium industry's main products include tantalum powder (capacitor grade metallurgical grade), tantalum wire, tantalum carbide, tantalum and its alloy ingots, tantalum and its alloy processing materials (plate, belt, tube, rod, wire), tantalum target, tantalum oxide (industrial, optical glass, high purity), lithium tantalate single crystal; Niobium powder (capacitor grade, metallurgical grade) niobium bar, niobium and its alloy ingots, niobium and its alloy additive materials (plate, strip, tube, rod, wire), niobium oxide (electrical grade, industrial, optical glass, high purity), niobium carbide, lithium niobate single crystal, niobium and its alloy superconducting materials, etc.

Tantalum powder and tantalum wire are the key materials for making tantalum capacitors. Widely used in mobile phones, computers, digital products, automotive and aerospace electronics and other fields, about 60% of the world's tantalum used in the manufacture of tantalum capacitors. Tantalum and niobium target material for semiconductor devices and liquid crystal display technology, niobium oxide, niobium and niobium powder, niobium wire used in the manufacture of ceramic capacitor capacitor, niobium wire is mainly used for production of high strength low alloy steel, stainless steel, heat-resistant steel, clearance steel, carbon steel, tool steel, rail steel, cast steel, about 90% of the world's niobium used in iron and steel industry. Tantalum or niobium can be added into tungsten, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, iron base alloy or other metal elements based on tantalum or niobium to produce superalloy, which is an important structural material for aerospace engines, land-based airflow turbine engines, modern weapons and facilities in harsh industrial environment. Tools such as cutting tools and drilling tools made of tantalum carbide, niobium carbide and other hard alloys can withstand a high temperature of nearly 3000℃, and their hardness is comparable to that of diamond. Because niobium and tantalum have good superconductivity, adding niobium and tantalum into the materials of wire and cable can greatly reduce the loss of electric energy, thus saving electric energy. Tantalum niobium is a kind of high quality material which can resist acid and liquid metal corrosion. In addition, tantalum niobium and its alloys can also be used as nuclear reactor cladding materials and high energy physics superconducting devices. At the same time, tantalum is an ideal biological adaptability material and is widely used in medical surgery.

Market application prospect

At present, the application of tantalum niobium new materials related high-tech industries including electronics, precision ceramics and precision glass industry; Electro-acoustooptic device; Cemented carbide, aerospace and electronics industries; Biomedical engineering; Superconducting industry; Special steel and other industries.

Since the 1990s, especially since 1995, the tantalum-niobium industry in China has accelerated its integration with the tantalum-niobium industry in the world, showing a trend of rapid development.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, China's tantalum-niobium industry has shown new features such as more enterprises, increased production capacity, improved technology, updated products, improved quality, expanded application, and improved environment, and its status in the international tantalum-niobium industry has been further improved, and the market pattern has also undergone new changes. After 60 years of development, has achieved "from scratch, since the childhood, the army to the people, from inside to outside and from weak to strong, gradually formed the tantalum niobium metals from mining, mineral processing, smelting, processing to application with independent intellectual property rights of the relatively complete industrial system, smelting, processing and technology innovation, continuous innovation and improvement in production equipment, industry and the scale of production and development of the fast growing Chinese tantalum niobium industry began to enter the world powers. In 2008, the total production capacity of various products has accounted for more than 30% of the world, and will soon exceed 50%, and more than 80% of the products are exported to foreign countries. By late 2008, has a certain scale of enterprise growth in the number of units from the end of last century 16 to 25, employs 5535 people, technical personnel 1845 people, the industry's total assets of 3.5 billion yuan, industry sales income 3.3 billion yuan, the products up to 40 series over 200 varieties, annual production capacity of folding metal tantalum nearly 1000 tons, 500 tons of metal niobium, potassium fluoride tantalum acid 5400 tons, niobium oxide 3100 tons, tantalum oxide 1000 tons, 180 tons of tantalum wire. From 11 varieties and more than 20 specifications in the early stage of industrialization to more than 40 series and more than 200 specifications (covering almost all categories of tantalum and niobium), the quality and grade of the products have been greatly improved. In 2008, China's tantalum output exceeded 600 tons, accounting for more than 30% of the world's 1,835 tons. Niobium equivalent to 1000 tons of metal output.

Since the second half of 2008, influenced by the global financial crisis, the world's electronics industry slump, sharp reduction of iron and steel corporation, a larger impact on our tantalum niobium industry, this influence continued until 2009, production and exports are falling, prices showed the lowest at the end of 2008, profits, most companies are losing money. In the face of severe global economic situation, China's tantalum niobium industry is market-oriented and insists on technological innovation, but it still maintains a rapid development momentum. The total volume keeps increasing, and high-end products account for nearly 60% of the international market share, which plays an extremely important role in the global tantalum niobium industry.

Industry outlook

With the further development of various application fields, the national tantalum-niobium industry and the implementation of the scientific concept of development requirements, China's tantalum-niobium industry must stand in the height of promoting the overall progress and development, take the initiative to deal with the contradictions and problems in the process of development. With the development of the world's electronics, metallurgy, aerospace, aviation and other high and new technology, the international market for tantalum powder, tantalum wire and other rare metal smelting and processing of new materials, tantalum niobium crystal materials and niobium alloy demand is increasing. At present, foreign tantalum and niobium smelters and processing industries are implementing global economic integration and integration, actively exploring the market and improving the market share. The technical development of tantalum and niobium products will greatly improve the technical level and international competitiveness of tantalum and niobium products in China, and establish the situation that China's national industry has one of the three worlds in the international competition of tantalum and niobium products.