zirconium [Zr]

Introduction

From the Persian zargun meaning goldlike (color of zircon) Zircon has been known since ancient times. Discovered in 1789 by Martin H. Klaproth. Impure zirconium was isolated in 1824 by Jons Jacob Berzelius

Occurrence

• most ziconium is obtained from the minerals zircon & baddeleyite
• abundant on S-type stars & moon rocks

Characteristics

• a steel-gray strong ductile metallic element
• high melting point
• highly resistant to heat & corrosion
• difficult to separate from hafnium
• when finely divided, may ignite spontaneously in air
• low absorption cross-section for neutrons

Uses

• alloys
• refractories
• ceramics
• space vehicle parts because of its resistance to high temperatures
• nuclear energy industry uses 90% if zirconium produced
• zirconium carbonate used is poison ivy lotions

More general terms

• chemical element
• metal

Additional terms

• periodic table
• zircon
• zirconium carbonate

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=23995