Description
Zirconium is a chemical element with the symbol Zr and atomic number 40. It is a lustrous, gray-white, strong transition metal that resembles titanium. Zirconium is used as an alloying agent due to its high resistance to corrosion. It is never found as a native metal; it is obtained mainly from the mineral zircon, which can be purified by chlorine. Zirconium was first isolated in an impure form in 1824 by Jöns Jakob Berzelius. It is very corrosion resistant and is utilized extensively by the chemical industry where corrosive agents are used. Zirconium is routinely found with some level of hafnium, since separation if the two elements is difficult. It is an highly flammable solid and a dust explosion hazard.
Chemical Name: Zirconium
Chemical Formula: Zr
Specifications
|
Atomic Number |
40 |
|
Liquid density at M.P. |
5.8 g/cm³ |
|
Molecular Weight (g/mol.) |
91.22 |
|
Apparent Density @25°C (g/cm3) |
6.506 |
|
Specific Heat @25°C (cal/g-°C) |
0.066 |
|
Melting Point (°C) |
1852 |
|
Boiling Point (°C) |
~ 3580 |
|
Thermal Conductivity (cal/s-cm-°C) |
0.0505 |
|
Vickers Hardness |
110 |
|
Surface Area (m2/g) |
|
|
Crystallography |
hexagonal structure |
Chemical Properties
a) Total Zr + Hf= 97.3%, Active Zr + Hf= 89.4%
b) Zirconium metal powder per military specification Mil-Z-399
Physical Properties
Zr crystal bar turnings, Zr lump, Zr sponge, Zr various powder granulations, Zr tablets, Zr foil, Zr plate, Zr wire, and Zr rod
Typical Applications
a) Because of zirconium's excellent resistance to corrosion, it is often used as an alloying agent in materials that are exposed to corrosive agents, such as surgical appliances, explosive primers, vacuum tube getters and filaments.
b) 90% of all zirconium produced is used in nuclear reactors because of its low neutron-capture cross-section and resistance to corrosion. Zirconium alloys are used in space vehicle parts for their resistance to heat, an important quality given the extreme heat associated with atmospheric reentry.
c) Zirconium is also a component in some abrasives, such as grinding wheels and sandpaper.
d) Zirconium is used in weapons such as the BLU-97/B Combined Effects Bomb for incendiary effect.
e) Zirconium in the oxidized form is also used in dentistry for crowning of the teeth because of its biocompatibility, strength and appearance.
f) High temperature parts such as combustors, blades and vanes in modern jet engines and stationary gas turbines are to an ever increasing extent being protected by thin ceramic layers which reduce the metal temperatures below and keep them from undergoing (too) extensive deformation which could possibly result in early failure. They are absolutely necessary for the most modern gas turbines which are driven to ever higher firing temperatures to produce more electricity at less CO2. These ceramic layers are usually composed by a mixture of zirconium and yttrium oxide.
Packaging
Dry, in tin cans of max. 3 kg. capacity. Or, as aqueous suspension in PE-bottles, water content of 30% min.
Data sheet