Zirconium

Definition

Zirconium is a chemical component and it has the symbol Zr. It is a shiny, gray-white, strong transition metal that resemble 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.

Properties

Zirconium is a shiny, grayish-white, soft, ductile, and soft metal which is solid at room temperature, though it becomes hard and brittle at lower purities. In powder form, zirconium is highly combustible, but the solid form is far less prone to igniting. Zirconium is highly resistant to corrosion by alkalis, acids, salt water, and other agents.

World Resources

Zirconium

Application

Because of zirconium's outstanding resistance to corrosion, it is frequently used as an alloying agent in materials that are bare to corrosive agents, such as surgical appliances, explosive primers, vacuum tube getters and filaments. Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) is used in laboratory crucibles, metallurgical furnaces, and as a refractory material. Zircon (ZrSiO4) is cut into gemstones for use in jewelry. Zirconium carbonate (3ZrO2•CO2•H2O) was used in lotions to treat poison ivy, but this was discontinued as it caused bad skin reactions in some cases.