noun
tantalum
TAN-tuh-lum/ˈtæntələm/
A hard, corrosion-resistant metallic chemical element used in electronics.
The tantalum strip remains uncorroded in the laboratory dish.
Etymology
Modern Latin tantalum was named for Tantalus, condemned to stand in water he could not drink. The discoverer partly linked the metal’s inability to absorb acid to that frustrated thirst.
In context
In the nuclear industry, tantalum has been used in reactor components or experimental fusion reactors because it can handle intense heat and radiation without corroding quickly.
More examples
- A thin layer of tantalum protects the part from corrosion.
- The supplier sells tantalum in sheets, rods, and wire.
- These capacitors contain a small amount of tantalum.