Corrosion-resistant tantalum alloys are used in process applications involving aggressive, acidic environments, but they can experience hydrogen embrittlement.

Typically, heat exchangers are fabricated from steel, tantalum and other metals, fluoropolymers, glass or graphite. However, when dealing with diluted sulfuric acid, the list of appropriate construction materials is greatly reduced to fluoropolymers, glass, graphite and tantalum.