Zirconium is a chemical element whose chemical symbol is Zr. It has an atomic number of 40 and is a high melting point metal with a light gray color. Density 6.49 g/cm3. Melting point 1852±2.001℃, boiling point 4377℃. Valences plus 2, plus 3, plus 4. The first ionization energy is 6.84 electron volts. The surface of zirconium is easy to form a layer of oxide film, with luster, so the appearance is similar to steel. Corrosion resistant, soluble in hydrofluoric acid and aqua regia, at high temperature, can react with nonmetallic elements and many metallic elements to form solid solution compounds. The article introduces in detail the discovery history, development history, physical and chemical properties, preparation methods, content distribution, uses, safety measures and so on.
Zirconium absorbs hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen easily; Zirconium has a strong affinity for oxygen, and oxygen dissolved in zirconium at 1000°C can significantly increase its volume. The surface of zirconium is easy to form a layer of oxide film, with luster, so the appearance is similar to steel. Resistant to corrosion, but soluble in hydrofluoric acid and aqua regia. At high temperature, it can react with nonmetallic elements and many metallic elements to form a solid solution. Zirconium has good plasticity and is easy to be processed into plates, wires, etc. Zirconium can absorb oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and other gases in large quantities when heated, and can be used as hydrogen storage material. The corrosion resistance of zirconium is better than titanium, close to niobium and tantalum. Zirconium and hafnium are chemically similar, but symbiotic two metals, and contain radioactive substances.
Zirconium is the 19th most abundant material in the Earth's crust, almost equal to chromium. A zirconium-bearing mineral found in nature of industrial value, mainly zirconite and diagenetic zircon. Zirconium resources in the world mainly occur in coastal placer deposits, only a small part of deposits and primary ores. Of the world's approximately 40 million tons of zirconite reserves, 85 percent are found in Australia, South Africa, the United States, India and the former Soviet Union. China ranks ninth in the world in the reserves of zirconium ore, the total reserves of more than 2 million tons, mainly in guangdong, hainan, guangxi and sichuan, while yunnan is mainly rock ore, other provinces such as hunan, hubei, anhui, fuJIAN, jiangxi, liaoning, there are also some zirconium resources.
