Zirconium

Zirconium is a <a href="/facts/Chemical_element/0jducgWD">chemical element</a>; it has <a href="/facts/Symbol_(chemistry)/2Fe1VAL0">symbol</a> Zr and <a href="/facts/Atomic_number/bgAr581S">atomic number</a> 40. First identified in 1789, isolated in impure form in 1824, and manufactured at scale by 1925, pure zirconium is a lustrous <a href="/facts/Transition_metal/0slGWoLQ">transition metal</a> with a greyish-white color that closely resembles <a href="/facts/Hafnium/rBNnlxDS">hafnium</a> and, to a lesser extent, <a href="/facts/Titanium/53ArnDoy">titanium</a>. It is solid at room temperature, <a href="/facts/Ductility/SBJsahEk">ductile</a>, <a href="/facts/Malleable/SBJsahEk">malleable</a> and <a href="/facts/Corrosion/lIC7H4we">corrosion</a>-resistant. The name zirconium is derived from the name of the mineral <a href="/facts/Zircon/84APfbLt">zircon</a>, the most important source of zirconium. The word is related to <a href="/facts/Persian_Language/jfUYbHbt">Persian</a> <a href="/facts/Jargoon/kBHpSb76">zargun</a> (zircon; zar-gun, "gold-like" or "as gold"). Besides zircon, zirconium occurs in over 140 other minerals, including <a href="/facts/Baddeleyite/Ddl3jetz">baddeleyite</a> and <a href="/facts/Eudialyte/vQIqu234">eudialyte</a>; most zirconium is produced as a byproduct of minerals mined for titanium and <a href="/facts/Tin/obW9mqc3">tin</a>.
Zirconium forms a variety of <a href="/facts/Inorganic_chemistry/ErD6ypnb">inorganic</a> compounds, such as <a href="/facts/Zirconium_dioxide/d2RN7wGQ">zirconium dioxide</a>, and <a href="/facts/Organometallic_compounds/bhqFz2P0">organometallic compounds</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Zirconocene_dichloride/q7ggJln2">zirconocene dichloride</a>. Five <a href="/facts/Isotopes_of_zirconium/NzDqkTRf">isotopes</a> occur naturally, four of which are stable. The metal and its alloys are mainly used as a <a href="/facts/Refractory/LoKrzGkR">refractory</a> and <a href="/facts/Opacifier/J9XDml2f">opacifier</a>; zirconium alloys are used to clad <a href="/facts/Nuclear_fuel_rod/8RhAomlJ">nuclear fuel rods</a> due to their low neutron absorption and strong resistance to corrosion, and in space vehicles and turbine blades where high heat resistance is necessary. Zirconium also finds uses in <a href="/facts/Flashbulb_(photography)/bfegk3Xy">flashbulbs</a>, biomedical applications such as <a href="/facts/Dental_implant/8eTEItJg">dental implants</a> and <a href="/facts/Prosthesis/odTuXtC0">prosthetics</a>, <a href="/facts/Deodorant/CfuqpAFx">deodorant</a>, and <a href="/facts/Water_purification/rguCGW3q">water purification</a> systems.
Zirconium compounds have no known biological role, though the element is widely distributed in nature and appears in small quantities in biological systems without adverse effects. There is no indication of zirconium as a carcinogen. The main hazards posed by zirconium are flammability in powder form and irritation of the eyes.

Zirconium open-in-new

Zirconium