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Zirconium
Zirconium (Zr) is a lustrous, grey-white transition metal known for its excellent corrosion resistance and high melting point of 1855 °C. It maintains strength and structural integrity under extreme conditions and forms a stable oxide layer that protects it from oxidation. Zirconium is commonly extracted from zircon mineral ores and is widely used in nuclear reactors due to its low neutron absorption.
Goodfellow’s range of high-purity Zirconium products, including Zirconium Rods, Sputtering Targets, Foils, and Cylindrical Crucibles, are integral to advanced research and industrial applications. Zirconium is widely used in aerospace, nuclear energy, and chemical processing industries. Zirconium-based materials are key in the development of fuel cells, high-temperature reactors, and advanced alloys. Our high-purity Zirconium products support manufacturing and cutting-edge laboratory research in materials science, semiconductor fabrication, and energy storage technologies, offering customized solutions for demanding applications across various industries and applications.
Properties
Identifiers
Isotopes
Applications
Grades
Synonyms
General Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 40 |
| Density | 6.52 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1855 °C |
| Boiling Point | 4409 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 22.7 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 42 nΩ·m |
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal Close-Packed (HCP) at room temperature; transforms to Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) at higher temperatures |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 370–500 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 240–380 MPa |
| Young’s Modulus | 88 GPa |
| Hardness | Vickers ~560 |
| Elongation at Break | 15–45% |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.34 |
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent; forms stable oxide layer (ZrO₂) |
| Reactivity | Reactive with oxygen and acids; resistant to alkalis |
| Oxidation States | +4 (most common), +3, +2 |
| Surface Oxide | Zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) |
| Identifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Zr |
| Atomic Number | 40 |
| CAS Number | 7440-67-7 |
| UN Number | UN2858 (dry solid); UN2008 (dry powder), UN1932 (scrap); UN1358 (wet powder - at least 25% water) |
| EINECS Number | 231-176-9 |
| Isotope | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zr-90 | Stable | Most abundant (~51.45%) |
| Zr-91 | Stable | ~11.22% |
| Zr-92 | Stable | ~17.15% |
| Zr-94 | Stable | ~17.38% |
| Zr-96 | Stable | ~2.8% |
Scientific Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Reactors | Used in cladding material for fuel rods due to low neutron absorption |
| Ceramics | Component in advanced ceramic composites and thermal barrier coatings |
| Biomedical Implants | Biocompatible metal for dental and orthopedic implants |
| Thin-Film Research | Used in sputtering targets and coatings for electronics |
| Corrosion Studies | Research on oxidation and corrosion resistance of alloys |
Industrial Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Processing | Used in reactors and heat exchangers due to corrosion resistance |
| Aerospace | Structural components in aircraft and space vehicles |
| Refractories | High-temperature resistant parts for furnaces |
| Alloying | Added to steel and other alloys to improve strength and corrosion resistance |
| Electronics | Used in thin films and microelectronics manufacturing |
| Purity | Description |
|---|---|
| 99.2% (2N2) | Standard purity zirconium used for general industrial applications, corrosion-resistant alloys, and moderate research use. |
| 99.8% (2N8) | High-purity zirconium ideal for demanding applications such as nuclear-grade materials, advanced coatings, and biomedical devices. |
| Synonym |
|---|
| Zirconium metal |
| Zr metal |
| Elemental Zirconium |
| Element 40 |
| Zirkonium (German) |
| Zirconio (Spanish, Italian) |