GAM to Showcase the Benefits of Tantalum in Medical Devices

Global Advanced Metals (GAM) is a leading supplier of tantalum powder solutions for metals additive manufacturing. Tantalum has some unique properties that make it an ideal material for medical devices and other advanced components in aerospace, defense and automotive markets.

Tantalum has high strength and ductility with excellent corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity. Independent third party scientific studies have indicated tantalum has high biocompatibility* and, as a pure metal, no measurable toxicity.* Tantalum possesses osteointegration* and elastic modulus properties similar to bone.*

GAM has developed printing capability with leading partners in additive manufacturing and has published work on the effect of powder characteristics such as particle size distribution, flowability, packing and oxygen content on physical properties on final printed part. GAM’s tantalum powders are suitable for printing via most additive manufacturing processes including laser powder bed fusion, electron beam melting, binder jetting and direct energy deposition.

GAM will be showcasing the benefits of tantalum in medical devices at the Additive Manufacturing Strategies event held at Boston in February 2020. Here, Dr. Sungail will describe the unique value proposition in using tantalum in medical implants and the advantages it provides for patient outcomes. In addition, Dr. Abid will describe the growing availability of new metals including tantalum for additive manufacturing of medical devices in a Fireside chat. 

Global Advanced Metals (GAM) is the world’s only fully integrated supplier of tantalum products. For almost 70 years GAM has been a leader in safety, health, environment and social responsibility while delivering best-in-industry technology and product quality. GAM is certified “Conflict-Free” since 2010 with exclusive rights to the world’s largest tantalum reserves in Western Australia. GAM maintains a global presence with facilities and offices in Western Australia, the United States and Japan.

* DISCLAIMER: GAM has not independently confirmed the accuracy or conclusions from third party referenced sources and GAM is not responsible for any errors or omissions. The noted information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness or accuracy.

*Cox, F. (1960), “Corrosion Resistance of Tantalum: Applications in the Chemical Industry”, Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 69-74;   Cramer, S., Covino Jr., B., ed., (2005) ASM Handbook, vol. 13b Corrosion Materials, Corrosion of Tantalum and Tantalum Alloys, pp. 337 – 353

*Matsuno H, Yokoyama A, Watari F, Motohiro U, Kawasaki T., Biocompatibility and osteogenesis of refractory metal implants, titanium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum and rhenium. Biomaterials. 2001 ;22:1253–1262.

*Miyazaki T, et.al., Biomaterials. 2002;23:827–32; Balla V, et.al., Acta  Biomater. 2009

*Hacking SA, Bobyn JD, Toh K, Tanzer M, Krygier JJ. Fibrous tissue ingrowth and attachment to porous tantalum. J Biomed Mater Res. 2000; 52:631–638

*Hacking S, et.al., J Biomed Mater Res. 2000;52:631–638;  Balla, V., et.al., Acta Biomater. 2010 Aug; 6(8): 3349–3359;   Levine BR, Sporer S, Poggie RA, Valle CJD, Jacobs JJ. Experimental and clinical performance of porous tantalum in orthopedic surgery. Biomaterials. 2006; 27:4671–4681

*Sungail, C., Abid, A., Metal Powder Report, online 25 March 2019