Tantalum occurs mainly in the mineral tantalite and ranks about 53rd among the elements in abundance in the earth's crust. The main deposits of the metal occur in Australia and Scandinavia. Small deposits have been found along the pegmatite veins of the South Dakota Black Hills. Tantalum has largely replaced platinum in standard weights and in laboratory ware because it is more resistant to corrosive agents. The metal is used to fabricate chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, aircraft and missile parts.
Tantalum oxide is a component in special optical glass for aerial camera lenses.
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