hafnium [Hf, celtium]

Introduction

From the Latin hafnia meaning Copenhagen. Discovered by Danish chemist Dirk Coster & Hungarian chemist George Karl von Hevesey in Copehagen in 1923.

Occurrence

• occurs as a 1-5% impurity in all zirconium ores
• generally obtained as a by-product of zirconium refining
• found in Australia, Brazil, Sri Lanka & the USA

Characteristics

• lustrous, silvery solid metal
• resembles zirconium chemically
• resists corrosion due to an oxide film on its surface
• burns in air as powder
• ready absorption of neutrons
• poor absorbtion by the body, thus of low toxicity

Uses

• nuclear control rods
• high temperature alloys
• ceramics

More general terms

• chemical element
• metal

More specific terms

• hafnium-175

Additional terms

• periodic table

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=23986