Zirconium metal, its properties, features, characteristics

Zirconium is silvery-white, highly ductile, and corrosion-resistant. It is a simple element, a minor element in group 4 of period 5 of the periodic table, and has atomic number 40. One of its modifications zirconium - One has a hexagonal lattice like magnesium, while the other has a body-centered lattice like α-Fe. Zirconium was discovered by a German chemist in 1789, who isolated zirconium dioxide. Later, in 1824, a Swedish chemist isolated it in its free form, and by the 20th century, pure zirconium, free of all impurities, was successfully obtained. The origin of the word is unknown.

Zirconium metal

Zirconium metal It is mainly distributed in the lithosphere, is considered a trace element, and its compounds with oxygen are known in nature in the form of silicates and oxides. There are 40 minerals in the Earth's crust that contain zirconium, It is present in the form of oxides or salts. Zircon and baddeleyite are the most common minerals in nature, but various complex minerals also exist. The dominant zirconium mineral is zircon, which is found primarily in granites and syenites, as well as in all types of rocks. Zirconium concentrates containing zirconium dioxide (zirconium dioxide) are used for industrial zirconium production.

Receipt zirconium metal - A complex technological process that requires a lot of time and money. The main methods are fluoride, chloride, and alkaline processes. The density of zirconium is 6.5107 g/cm3.³, melting point 1855⁰C, fairly high boiling point 4409⁰C is paramagnetic.

Zirconium metal It is ductile, and therefore easily amenable to hot and cold working (forging, rolling, stamping). The presence of small amounts of dissolved nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon can cause brittleness in the metal. It has a good hardness of 640-670 MN/m.² Brinell hardness. Oxygen has a strong effect on hardness, and at a concentration of 0.2%, zirconium is not amenable to cold pressure working. At a temperature of 200-400⁰ Slow oxidation of compact zirconium begins, becoming coated with a film of zirconium dioxide. Zirconium reacts with fluorine at room temperature, and at temperatures above 200⁰ With reaction with bromine, chlorine, iodine, higher halogens are formed. Zirconium does not react with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or alkalis. At temperatures above 100⁰ C reacts with nitric acid and aqua regia.

Zirconium alloys have been widely used since the 1930s and are even more so today:

• in nuclear energy, atomic for the manufacture of fuel elements, assemblies and structures of nuclear reactors;
• in metallurgy it is used as an alloying additive, which significantly improves the mechanical properties of metals and makes copper alloys strong and heat-resistant;
• in pyrotechnics;
• an excellent superconductor, withstands loads up to 100,000 A/cm²;
• used as a structural material for the production of acid-resistant chemical reactors, pumps, and fittings;
• high chemical resistance allows for the production of various food utensils;
• in the jewelry industry.

Price of zirconium It can vary and depends on the type of zirconium product. Price of zirconium From $100 to $500 per kg on the global market. All zirconium-containing alloys have different zirconium content.