Zirconium and Zirconium Compounds

Abstract Zirconium occurs naturally as a silicate in zircon, the oxide baddeleyite, and in other oxide compounds. Zircon has been known as a gem material since biblical times. Zirconium is a highly active metal and is resistant to corrosion by water, steam, mineral acids,alkalies, salts, etc. Zirconium is highly refractory and the ore is cracked with only strong reagents and high temperatures. Various processes accomplish this, such as electric furnace, cautic fusion, chlorination, fluorosilicate fusion. Zirconium and hafnium always occur together in natural minerals and separation of the two are discussed. Zirconium is not considered a hazard to the environment. Zircon ceramics, opacifiers, refractories, foundry application are the leading end uses for zirconium. Other end uses include abrasives, chemicals, metal alloys, and welding rod coatings. There are many zirconium compounds in the form of hydrides, carbides, nitrides, oxides, halides, organometallics, chalcogenides, oxides, etc. Information is given on many of these compounds.