Zirconium Foil and Strip: Grades, Sizes and Supply Services
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Zirconium Foil and Strip Product Range
Zirconium foil and zirconium strip are supplied in two standard materials, Zr702 and Zr1, at a minimum purity of 99.4%. Both are produced to ASTM B551 for zirconium strip, sheet and plate, and to GB/T 21183, so a single lot can be released against either designation depending on the end market. Typical applications are aerospace components, nuclear reactors and the wider atomic energy industry, where zirconium is chosen for its very low thermal neutron absorption cross-section of about 0.18 barn and its resistance to corrosion in high-temperature water and steam.
| Product | Material | Purity | Specification | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zirconium strip | Zr702, Zr1 | 99.4% min | ASTM B551, GB/T 21183 | Aerospace, nuclear reactors, atomic energy |
| Zirconium foil | Zr702, Zr1 | 99.4% min | ASTM B551, GB/T 21183 | Nuclear components, thin-section chemical equipment, precision parts |
Thickness, Width and Length Availability
Foil and strip are rolled to precise thickness and supplied as coil, as cut length, or as slit strip. The size programme below covers the standard range; intermediate sizes are rolled to order. All dimensions are in millimetres.
| Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Length (mm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.01-0.02 | 30-100 | 500 and above | Very thin foils, diffusion barriers, laboratory and precision applications |
| 0.03-0.09 | 50-300 | 500 and above | Foil for heat exchangers, gaskets and thin-wall components |
| 0.10-0.30 | 50-300 | 500 and above | Thin strip for formed and stamped parts |
| 0.40-0.90 | 50-500 | 1,000 and above | Strip for liners, vessels and welded assemblies |
| 1.0-2.0 | 50-500 | 2,000 and above | Heavier strip for structural and pressure-retaining applications |
Zirconium foil is normally supplied in the annealed condition, which gives the softest temper and the best formability, while half-hard and cold-rolled tempers are available where higher strength is needed. Surface finish, edge condition and flatness are agreed at order stage, and thin foil is packed with interleaving to prevent abrasion in transit.
Quality Certification and Third-Party Testing
Product quality certificate. Every lot is released with a certificate stating chemical composition, mechanical properties and dimensions against the ordered specification.
Third-party testing support. Independent laboratory testing can be arranged on request, which is valuable where the material is destined for nuclear or aerospace qualification programmes.
Chemistry control. Hafnium, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and iron are the elements that most affect zirconium performance. Zirconium 702 contains hafnium as a natural associated element, and low-hafnium material is selected where neutron absorption must be minimised.
Traceability. Heat number and lot number are recorded on the certificate and on the package label so that any item can be traced back to the melting charge.
Dimensional inspection. Thickness is measured across the width and along the length of each coil, and width and length are checked against the agreed tolerance band.
Packaging, Delivery and Return Protection
Packaging to requirement. Coils and cut lengths are packed in moisture-barrier wrap inside wooden cases, with edge protection and desiccant where the destination climate requires it. Custom packaging formats such as pallets, stillages or customer-specified labels can be followed.
Delivery speed. Standard sizes are held as stock so that orders can be released quickly, and roll-to-order thicknesses are scheduled to the shortest achievable lead time.
Return and exchange window. If a buyer raises an objection within 30 days of receiving the goods, return and exchange are supported, provided the material is in its original packing and has not been cut or processed.
Evaluation samples. Small samples of standard foil and strip are provided free of charge so that the material can be tested before a production order is placed.
Applications and Selection Notes
Nuclear reactors. Zirconium strip and foil are used for fuel cladding supports, channels and structural parts because the metal absorbs very few thermal neutrons and resists corrosion in pressurised water and steam.
Aerospace. Zirconium components appear in specialised aerospace hardware where a combination of low density, 6.51 g/cm³, and corrosion resistance is needed.
Atomic energy and research. Foil is used in research and instrument applications where a thin, ductile, corrosion-resistant metal layer is required.
Chemical processing. Zirconium resists attack by many mineral and organic acids, which makes strip a candidate for heat exchanger liners and vessel internals.
Selection notes. Specify the material grade, the standard, the temper and the thickness tolerance together, because the three are linked: thin foil in a hard temper can be difficult to form, while a soft temper in thicker strip may not hold the required flatness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Zr702 and Zr1?
Zr702 is the designation used in the ASTM B551 system, where the grade is controlled by a minimum zirconium plus hafnium content of 99.4% together with limits on iron, oxygen and other residuals. Zr1 is the corresponding designation in the GB/T 21183 system. For most applications the two are technically interchangeable, and the choice usually follows the specification called up by the end user.
Q: Which standards cover zirconium foil and strip?
ASTM B551 covers zirconium and zirconium alloy strip, sheet and plate, and GB/T 21183 covers the equivalent Chinese product forms. Chemical composition, tensile properties, bend performance and dimensional tolerances are all defined by the standard that is specified on the order.
Q: What is the thinnest zirconium foil available?
The standard programme starts at 0.01 mm thickness with widths from 30 mm to 100 mm. Material below this range is a special rolling item and would be considered against the specific requirement.
Q: Why is zirconium used in nuclear reactors?
Its thermal neutron absorption cross-section, about 0.18 barn, is among the lowest of the structural metals, so it barely interferes with the neutron flux. It also retains good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in high-temperature water, which is why it became the base metal for fuel cladding and reactor internals.
Q: How is zirconium foil packed for shipment?
Foil and strip are wrapped in moisture-barrier material, interleaved where very thin gauges are involved, and packed in wooden cases with edge and face protection. Desiccant is added for humid destinations, and the case is labelled with grade, heat number and dimensions.
Q: Can third-party test reports be provided with the goods?
Yes. Independent laboratory testing can be arranged alongside the normal lot certificate, covering chemical composition, mechanical properties and, where required, corrosion or metallographic examination. The scope of testing is agreed before the order is released so that the report arrives with the material.
