-1
$\begingroup$

I am interested in learning how to oxidize tantalum. I have seen some tantalum rings that the sellers say is a permanent smokey blackish color. But I've spoken to some people that say tantalum cannot be oxidized, and the rings I saw must have been coated.

So anyone know if and how tantalum can be oxidized?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Any metal can be oxidized. Although Ta is rather resistant, there's lots of ways. As for the black color, it might be tantalum nitride, but this question falls under both unclear and too broad, IMO. $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Commented Jun 21, 2019 at 23:18

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

The smoky black stuff is probably not tantalum oxide. The only such oxide that's well characterized is $\ce{Ta2O5}$, which is white. Tantalum itself is a rare element, so if the jewelry contains tantalum at all it's probably a thin coating or cladding on a base metal substrate.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.