Tantalum capacitors - Who buys them?

**waredu** · 08-05-2012, 03:57 PM

I finally found some of these mysterious tantalum capacitors. Now that I have them, it's obvious how they are different from the regular ceramic ones that I see on circuit boards.

So, I'm clipping them off these mid-grade boards and putting them aside. The few posts on here that talk about them mention them going for $50+ per pound. The rest of the posts mentioning tantalum talk about where to find them, what they look like, etc.

So - who buys these things? Is anyone really selling them, or is anyone even saving them?

**TheHoss** · 08-05-2012, 04:13 PM

Could you put up a pic by chance?

**waredu** · 08-05-2012, 05:31 PM

**Mechanic688** · 08-05-2012, 06:17 PM

Maybe this will help; Monico Alloys - Tantalum scrap (Ta scrap) & Tantalum Alloy scrap (Ta Alloy scrap)

Tantalum Prices About to Go Through The Roof? | MetalMiner

Globe Metal | Globe Metal | metal recovery and metal recycling - (450) 635-9397

**NMatheson** · 08-10-2012, 02:30 PM

I would be very interested in learning how to identify these caps. I've looked around a bit and can't find any solid info on identification. Anyone have any pointers?

**Big Tex** · 08-10-2012, 03:11 PM

Waredu, What type of board those come off of..etc???? Thanks.

**waredu** · 08-10-2012, 03:50 PM

These came out of vending machines.

**CLR Solutions** · 08-10-2012, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by waredu

I finally found some of these mysterious tantalum capacitors. Now that I have them, it's obvious how they are different from the regular ceramic ones that I see on circuit boards.

So, I'm clipping them off these mid-grade boards and putting them aside. The few posts on here that talk about them mention them going for $50+ per pound. The rest of the posts mentioning tantalum talk about where to find them, what they look like, etc.

So - who buys these things? Is anyone really selling them, or is anyone even saving them?

We buy them. How much weight of them have you accumulated so far?

**waredu** · 08-10-2012, 08:53 PM

I quit clipping when I couldn't find anyone who bought them. I've still got the boards though.

Right now, probably just about a pound or so. Apparently one of the bigger vending machine distributors in the area is refurbing all their machines - I got these boards from one of the guys doing the work. Said he would try to get more, but doesn't know if he will be able to.

PM me with your prices if you don't mind.

**Big Tex** · 08-11-2012, 12:45 AM

CLR, what is the minimum weight requirement for you to purchase? Thanks.....

**CLR Solutions** · 08-11-2012, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Big Tex

CLR, what is the minimum weight requirement for you to purchase? Thanks.....

Try to put together at least a pound.

**GeorgeB** · 08-11-2012, 07:19 AM

What kind of boards would these come on?

**ScrapYaHerd** · 08-11-2012, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

What kind of boards would these come on?

Any.

**GeorgeB** · 08-11-2012, 08:55 AM

What is in them to make them valuable to anyone?

**Mechanic688** · 08-11-2012, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

What is in them to make them valuable to anyone?

Tantalum powder, made from tantalum ore which if I'm reading right is at $120. a lb right now. Here's some of it's uses.

As a reminder, tantalum is used in cell phones, DVD players, PCs, digital cameras, LCD screens, and game consoles. It is also an essential component for jet turbine blades, nuclear reactors … and the list goes on. The capacitor typically consists of a sintered tantalum metallic sponge acting as the anode, a manganese dioxide cathode, and a dielectric layer of tantalum pentoxide created on the tantalum sponge surface by anodizing.

**1776Patriotism** · 08-12-2012, 02:44 AM

Is there an identifying mark, or do they all look like the pic? How do I identify these?

**GeorgeB** · 08-12-2012, 06:23 AM

So what does it buy for?

**Mechanic688** · 08-12-2012, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by 1776Patriotism

Is there an identifying mark, or do they all look like the pic? How do I identify these?

I don't think there's any mark to identify them. It's more the "look" of them, get used to how they all look then you can spot them. Notice the plus + side is marked and will sometimes have a voltage rating, in the top pic case is 3 v(volt).

This is kind of interesting if you want to know more about this mystery item.
Pictures, stories, and facts about the element Tantalum in the Periodic Table

"Several 10uF x 30VDC rated tantalum capacitors, solid-bodied epoxy-dipped type. Polarity is explicitly marked."

**charn** · 08-12-2012, 12:33 PM

I haven't sold any yet, but I expect any yard that specializes in e-waste would buy them.

**Big Tex** · 08-12-2012, 07:21 PM

Which part is the tantalum, the colored body or the silver metallic legs or all of it?

Tantalum capacitors - Who buys them?

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