Tantalum Piping is specified throughout the process industries and is praised as a very cost-effective method to avoid damaging corrosive leaks in the process line. TITAN Metal Fabricators is a widely known Heat Exchanger and Piping Systems manufacturer, specializing in reactive metals such as Tantalum.

The following information is provided as background on Tantalum, the alloy characteristics, strengths and how consideration of Tantalum Piping could be the answer to prevent corrosion in your application.

Life Cycle Benefits of Tantalum Pipe

Tantalum Piping should be considered for any application where corrosion is a factor and the long-term benefits of reduced downtime, increased life expectancy and profitability are important. While initial purchase cost is higher than some other materials (graphite, ceramic, PTFE or glass), Tantalum Piping System will be highly cost-effective over the equipment life cycle. Properly maintained, TITAN’s Tantalum Piping systems can operate for decades, making Tantalum a very economical choice over other reactive metals.

Tantalum Piping can solve many of the problems inherent with other materials of construction. It is not brittle and will not crack like impregnated graphite. TITAN’s Tantalum Piping Systems are a fully-welded design and will not leak.

A Tantalum Piping System can:

  • Eliminate expensive downtime due to equipment failure
  • Provide superior corrosion resistance
  • Accommodate high steam pressures
  • Remove possibilities of process fluid leaks

Please see Applications of Tantalum for typical mils of corrosion of various materials in hostile environments.

Tantalum the Metal

Tantalum is the most corrosion resistant metal in common use today. It is inert to practically all organic and inorganic compounds. Tantalum is inert to Sulfuric and Hydrochloric acid below 300°F. Attack up to 400°F is not significant and is common use up to 500°F.  It has good thermal conductivity and erosion resistance. It forms easily, is highly workable and weldable. This makes it an ideal tube material for corrosion resistant Reactors.

Please see TITAN’s Applications of Tantalum for additional Tantalum uses, some comparative corrosion resistance data including media, concentrations and temperatures.

TITAN does not purchase any materials that are known to come from conflict resources. See our Conflict-Free Materials Sourcing Policy.

Our Technical Resources area also has a complete section on properties and corrosion resistance.

Tantalum Piping Designs

Tantalum Piping Systems are one of TITAN’s most often fabricated products. Many different types of Piping Systems are produced for use across multiple chemical process applications.

TITAN works with its customers to find creative solutions to corrosion issues. For instance, Tantalum Piping can utilize fiberglass, PTFE lined, glass-lined carbon steel or Tantalum-lined carbon steel. Tantalum can also be explosive clad to Carbon Steel to form a bimetallic material of construction, an ideal solution for very high pressure Tantalum Piping.

Designs and accessories to Tantalum Piping include:

  • Solid wall
  • Large diameter
  • Explosive clad
  • Individual straight
  • Elbows or Tee fittings
  • Flanges and gaskets
  • Spooled sections
  • ID polishing
  • Jacketed for heat transfer
  • Dual containment designs

Weld end connections with final field welding can also be supplied.

Manufacturing capacities include widths up to 120″ diameter, 300’ in length and weights up to 200 tons.

Piping larger than 8″ diameter is normally supplied as rolled and welded cylinders meeting the requirements of ASME Code, Section 8, Division I.

 TITAN manufactures pressure equipment in accordance with all major international design standards and pressure vessel codes.

Using both HTRI and AspenTech thermal design software, we design and custom build many different styles of Tantalum Pipe.

Tantalum Corrosion Resistance

Tantalum Piping can be fabricated for chemical, petrochemical, steel and pharmaceutical applications.

TITAN’s Tantalum Piping Systems are found in a wide variety of environments, across industries including applications for chemical processing, pharmaceutical and Tantalum Piping for steel pickling applications.

The steel finishing industry uses 20% hydrochloric acid at 200°F to pickle Carbon Steel.  A Tantalum Piping System is an ideal choice for dependable, robust, low maintenance pickle lines. TITAN Tantalum Piping is specified by every major North American steel mill. Please visit our Steel Pickling Heat Exchanger page for more information.

Sulfuric Acid is concentrated by boiling it up to 500°F in Tantalum Bayonet Heat Exchangers. TITAN has specialized designs that have been perfected over many years of successful experience.

  • HCL – Carbon Steel Pickling
  • H2SO4 – for Stainless Steel Pickling
  • Tantalum used for many markets including pharmaceutical, pesticides and herbicides
  • Organic, inorganic and fine chemical applications

TITAN Tantalum Piping Systems are used in a wide variety of oxidizing and reducing environments. To view a list of materials where Tantalum is commonly used, please visit Applications of Tantalum.

For a general guide on corrosion resistance, temperatures and concentrations please see TITAN’s publication, “Corrosion Resistance of Metals in Various Chemical Media” for additional information.*

*Please Note: Final selection of material must be based on actual evaluation of the metal in the corrosive medium under study.

 

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