According to research by the Department of Energy's National Laboratory in the United States, zirconium is found in meteorites, second-order giant stars, the Sun, and lunar rocks. The latter contain surprisingly large amounts of metal — according to preliminary estimates, much higher than Earth's reserves.
According to various sources, the content of zirconium in the earth's crust ranges from 0.016% to 0.025% by weight. The main sources of metal are baddeleyite (simple Zr oxide) and zircon minerals, which are mined in the Russian Federation, Brazil, the USA, Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Some rocks are 4.4 billion years old.
The history of metal
Zirconium was first discovered in 1789 by German scientist Martin Heinrich Klaproth, the discoverer of two more chemical elements — titanium and uranium. While studying zircon brought from Sri Lanka, the chemist found 5% dioxide in the mineral gland, 25% silica and 75% of a previously unknown metal called zirconord. Unfortunately, Klaproth was unable to isolate the chemical element from the ore. Scientists were able to obtain pure zirconium only in 1925. Two Dutch chemists (members of the Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Sciences), Jan de Boer and Eduard van Arkel, when heating zircon teterachloride with magnesium, isolated a crystalline mass of pure Zr.
Applications of zirconium in modern industry
Zirconium is a relatively new material, the demand for which is constantly increasing. There are a large number of research and development areas related to zirconium and its derivatives, from heavy industry to everyday use.
- Nuclear power. Zirconium alloys widely used for the production of structural components of nuclear reactors, including pressure and guide tubes, fuel channels and tanks, lattice gaskets, etc. Zr demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance and resistance to creep when irradiated, as well as low neutron absorption. It is alloyed with other metals, such as tin, to improve mechanical and thermal properties.
- Refractories production. This industry values the chemical inertness of the material, resistance to corrosion and erosion, high strength and poor solubility in molten metals and silica.
- 3D printing. Zirconium oxide suspensions are well suited for 3D printing, in particular for creating dentures in exact accordance with the required shapes.
- Polymer industry. Zirconium particles are used as components of elastomers in the manufacture of gloves, ensuring the strength and flexibility of the material, as well as giving it antibacterial properties.
- Woodworking. The use of zirconium acrylate in the production of wooden floors makes it possible to increase their service life, protect them from environmental influences and increase fire protection.
- Ceramic manufacturing. The addition of zirconium compounds to ceramic products, in particular plate materials, improves their physical and chemical properties. This industry consumes approximately 54% of the zirconium produced.
- Creating implants. The properties of zirconium oxide are ideal for biomedicine, in particular for the production of implants. High viscosity and strength make it possible to use the material as a structural substitute for bones, hips and dental parts.
- Green energy. Solar cells usually use dioxide as a semiconductor titanium, which is alloyed with zirconium to increase efficiency.
- Paper production. Glyoxal is traditionally used for gluing and coloring paper coatings. However, zirconium compounds successfully replace it, while improving the quality of finished products.
- Catalyst production. Due to its versatility and availability, zirconium is very often used for various chemical reactions (hydrogenation, oxidation, amination, isomerization and pyrolysis). One of the new areas is carbon capture and storage
- Creating artificial diamonds. Cubic zirconium is an optically transparent single crystal with a high refractive index. It does not lose its color and luster. The color of semi-precious stones depends on the alloying additives used in production.
One of the main uses of zirconium is the production of advanced ceramics for creating components for process equipment, instruments or machines. The material has higher physical and chemical properties than metals and polymers used for the same purposes. Zirconium is quite hard, poorly conductive and relatively inert (does not react with other elements) — all of which are highly valued in advanced ceramics. Zirconium oxide can be used for the production of crucibles for melting metals, gas turbines, lining pipes for jet and rocket engines, and lining the walls of high-temperature furnaces.
