Tantalum carbide

Carbon compound of tantalum with one of the highest melting points (3880 °C) of all known elements.

Tantalum carbide (TaC) is very hard with a yellowish color in its pure state; it is used for coating engine nozzles and cutting tools. The carbide is formed as a doughy mass if carbon is added to a ferro-tantalum melt (reduction of tantalum pentoxide with carbon).