Zirconium
Zirconium (Zr)
Zirconium (pronounced /zɪrˈkoʊniəm/) is a chemical element with the symbol Zr and atomic number 40. It is a strong, malleable, ductile, lustrous, grayish-white metal.
Etymology
The name Zirconium is derived from the Persian word zargun, meaning "gold-colored". It was first identified by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1789, but it was not isolated until 1824 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius.
Properties and Uses
Zirconium is highly resistant to corrosion by alkalis, acids, salt water and other agents, and thus it is used extensively as an alloying agent. Its most widespread use is in nuclear reactors due to its low absorption cross-section for thermal neutrons, and the resulting alloys are used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace and biomedical uses.
Related Terms
- Zirconium dioxide: Also known as zirconia, it is a white crystalline oxide of zirconium.
- Zircon: A mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates, and it is a source of the metal zirconium.
- Zirconium alloy: Zirconium combined with other elements to improve its properties for specific uses.
- Zirconium silicate: Also known as zircon, it is a primary source of zirconium.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Zirconium
- Wikipedia's article - Zirconium
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