Metal- Zirconiume Basic Information.

Zirconium is a chemical element. Zirconium is aabsorption, the greater the efficiency of a nuclear
lustrous,gray-white, , strong transition metal thatreactor. In this application, reactor grade (low
resembles titanium. Zirconium is used as an alloyinghafnium) material must be used. The major
agent due to its high resistance to corrosion. It isnuclear grade Zircadyne alloys are: Zircaloy-2,
never found as a native metal; it is obtainedZircaloy-4, Zr-2.5Nb which have excellent corrosion
mainly from the mineral zircon, which can beresistance to high temperature steam and water,
purified by chlorine.and good mechanical strength.
Zirconium has no known biological role. ZirconiumThe most important zirconium compound, the
forms both inorganic and organometalliczircon, is used asrefractory material for
compounds such as zirconium dioxide andmould-casting, as abrasive and as constituent of
zirconocene dichloride, respectively. There are fiveinsulating materials, enamels and other resistant to
naturally-occurring isotopes, three of which arethe temperature materials. It is also used as an
stable. Short-term exposure to zirconium powderartificial semi-precious stone, imitating diamond.
causes minor irritation, and inhalation of zirconiumZirconium oxide is used as refractory material in
compounds can cause skin and lung granulomas.the production of piezoelectric crystals and rings
Zirconium's excellent resistance to corrosion, it isof high frequency induction reels, due to its low
often used as an alloying agent in materials thatresistance to high temperature. It is still used as
are exposed to corrosive agents, such as surgicalpigment in the ceramic industry. More than 80%
appliances, explosive primers, vacuum tubeof the produced zirconium is consumed in the
getters and filaments. 90% of all zirconiumform of these two compounds.
produced is used in nuclear reactors because ofOther zirconium compounds have interesting
its low neutron-capture cross-section andproperties and important applications. Thus, the
resistance to corrosion. Zirconium alloys are usedcarbide and the nitride with their high hardness,
in space vehicle parts for their resistance to heat,are used in producing abrasives and sharp edged
an important quality given the extreme heatinstruments; the hydride is an hydrogen source
associated with atmospheric reentry. Zirconium isand can be used as moderator in nuclear reactors;
also a component in some abrasives, such asthe double ammonium carbide and zirconile are
grinding wheels and sandpaper. Zirconium is used inused in preparing hydrophobic fluids and
weapons such as the BLU-97/B Combined Effectswater-proof coatings; the phosphate, the
Bomb for incendiary effect. Zirconium in themolybdate and the tungstate are used as ion
oxidized form is also used in dentistry forpermuters, especially selective for alkali metals.
crowning of the teeth because of itsMetallic zirconium is the best construction material
biocompatibility, strength and appearance.for nuclear reactors due to its low neutron cross
A major use of zirconium is for structural materialsection, high mechanical and chemical resistance
in nuclear reactor cores. Because of its lowand appropriate thermal conductivity. It is also
thermal neutron absorption cross-section andused in the manufacture of zircaloy alloys that
good strength, Zirconium is ideal in this application.contain tin, iron and chromium in small amounts.
The thermal neutron absorption cross-section isOther smaller applications include flash production
the ability of a material to absorb thermalfor photography, explosive, fireworks, tracer
neutrons. The lower the thermal neutronbullets, small rockets, etc.