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Periodic Table of Elements

Element Zirconium - Zr

Comprehensive data on the chemical element Zirconium is provided on this page; including scores of properties, element names in many languages, most known nuclides of Zirconium. Common chemical compounds are also provided for many elements. In addition technical terms are linked to their definitions and the menu contains links to related articles that are a great aid in one's studies.

Zirconium Menu

Overview of Zirconium

Zirconium's Name in Other Languages

  • Latin: Zirkonium
  • Czech: Zirkonium
  • Croatian: Cirkonij
  • French: Zirkonium
  • German: Zirkonium - s
  • Italian: Zirconio
  • Norwegian: Zirkonium
  • Portuguese: Xircônio
  • Russian: Цирконий
  • Spanish: Circonio
  • Swedish: Zirkonium

Atomic Structure of Zirconium

Chemical Properties of Zirconium

Physical Properties of Zirconium

  • Atomic Mass Average: 91.224
  • Boiling Point: 4650K 4377°C 7911°F
  • Coefficient of lineal thermal expansion/K-1: 5.78E-6
  • Conductivity
    Electrical: 0.0236 106/cm Ω
    Thermal: 0.227 W/cmK
  • Density: 6.51g/cc @ 300K
  • Description:
    A hard Rare grayish-white metal, which is resistant towards corrosion due to an oxide film on its surface. It will burn in air if ignited.
  • Elastic Modulus:
    • Bulk: 89.8/GPa
    • Rigidity: 35/GPa
    • Youngs: 98/GPa
  • Enthalpy of Atomization: 598 kJ/mole @ 25°C
  • Enthalpy of Fusion: 20.9 kJ/mole
  • Enthalpy of Vaporization: 581.6 kJ/mole
  • Flammablity Class: Combustible
  • Freezing Point: see melting point
  • Hardness Scale
    • Brinell: 650 MN m-2
    • Mohs: 5
    • Vickers: 903 MN m-2
  • Heat of Vaporization: 58.2kJ/mol
  • Melting Point: 2125K 1852°C 3366°F
  • Molar Volume: 14.06 cm3/mole
  • Physical State (at 20°C & 1atm): Solid
  • Specific Heat: 0.27J/gK
  • Vapor Pressure = 0.00168Pa@1852°C

Regulatory / Health

  • CAS Number
    • 7440-67-7 powder, wet
  • UN/NA ID and ERG Guide Number
    • 1358  / 170 powder, wet
    • 1932  / 135 scrap
    • 2008  / 135 powder, dry
  • RTECS: ZH7070000
  • OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
  • OSHA PEL Vacated 1989
  • NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)
  • Routes of Exposure: Inhalation; Skin and/or eye contact
  • Target Organs: Skin, respiratory system
  • Levels In Humans:
    Note: this data represents naturally occuring levels of elements in the typical human, it DOES NOT represent recommended daily allowances.
    • Blood/mg dm-3: 0.011
    • Bone/p.p.m: <0.1
    • Liver/p.p.m: 0.11
    • Muscle/p.p.m: 0.08
    • Daily Dietary Intake: 0.05 mg
    • Total Mass In Avg. 70kg human: 1 mg

Who / Where / When / How

  • Discoverer: Martin H. Klaproth
  • Discovery Location: Berlin Germany
  • Discovery Year: 1789
  • Name Origin:
    Farsi, zargun for gold color.
  • Abundance of Zirconium:
    • Earth's Crust/p.p.m.: 190
    • Seawater/p.p.m.: 0.000009
    • Atmosphere/p.p.m.: N/A
    • Sun (Relative to H=1E12): 560
  • Sources of Zirconium:
    Found in many minerals such as zircon and baddeleyite. Annual world wide production is around 7000 tons. Primary mining areas are Australia, Brazil, USA and Sri Lanka.
  • Uses of Zirconium:
    Used in alloys such as zircaloy which is used in nuclear applications since it does not readily absorb neutrons. Also used in catalytic converters, percussion caps and furnace bricks. Baddeleyite is used in lab crucibles.
  • Additional Notes:
    While Klaproth discovered zirconium in 1789, it first isolated by J.J. Berzelius in 1824 in stockholm Sweden.

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References

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