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

Company has partnered Saekaphen to apply its protective coating to line the interior tube surfaces of shell-and-tube heat exchangers.

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.

The primer developed by the university and Electro Chemical will be used to line corrosive fluid storage containers that will experience extreme temperature and pressure conditions.