For this reason, they are widely used for
chemical equipment that operates at ambient
temperatures.
Tantalum oxidizes in air above approximately
300 °C (570 °F) and is attacked by
hydrofluoric, phosphoric, and sulfuric acids,
and by chlorine and fluorine gases at temperatures
above 150 °C (300 °F). Tantalum also
reacts with carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen at
elevated temperatures. Because of the high per
unit weight cost of tantalum and its high density,
the cost effectiveness of this material has
been increased by using clad, explosion clad, or
resistance-welded clad products.