What Are The Properties Of Zirconium?

What are the properties of zirconium?

Zirconium mainly exists in nature in the form of minerals. Zirconium ranks 20th in content in the earth's crust. It is more abundant than common metals copper, lead, nickel, and zinc. However, it is called a "rare metal" because the preparation process is complicated and difficult to be extracted economically. In addition, among the more than 40 kinds of zirconium and hafnium deposits that have been discovered, only about 10 have industrial mining value, and only two types, zircon and baddeleyite, are used for industrial production.

Zirconium products are rich in variety and in various forms. The initial mineral form is zircon sand. After treatment with caustic soda, water washing, etc., primary products such as zirconium silicate and zirconium oxychloride can be produced. With continued calcination, chlorination, and reduction, secondary products can also be produced. Zirconia, industrial grade zirconium sponge and other products; if the purification and separation technology reaches a certain level, nuclear energy grade zirconium sponge can be made.

Zirconium sponge is a silver-gray sponge-like metal with a density of 6.49G/CM³, a melting point of 1852±2.001℃, and a boiling point of 4377℃. The metallic element zirconium is known as the first metal of the atomic age. Zirconium material looks like steel and is shiny. Zirconium and its alloys have excellent properties such as good dimensional stability, high strength and toughness, high oxygen absorption, erosion resistance, radiation resistance, and corrosion resistance.