Atomic Number: 40 Period Number: 5 Group Number: 4
Zirconium is a lustrous and grey-white transition metal, which main source is mineral zircon. There are five isotopes: 90Zr, 91Zr, 92Zr, 94Zr and 96Zr, three of which are stable.
Zirconium resists corrosion, hence it is used as alloying agent in materials which are often come in contact with corrosive agents. Some of these materials are surgical appliances, vacuum tube getters and filaments or explosive primers. Being heat resistant, the alloys of zirconium are employed in space vehicles. It forms important component for making abrasives like grinding wheels and sand paper. We also regard Zirconium as catalysts in paint, dye, plastics and textiles.
There are many different useful Zirconium. Zircon (ZrSiO4), which has many different forms, is frequently used in the diamond and jewelry. Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) can withstand very high temperatures and is used to make crucibles and to line the walls of high temperature furnaces. Zirconium carbonate (3ZrO2·CO2·H2O) is used in lotions to treat poison ivy.
Physical and Chemical Properties:
Atomic Weight: 91.224
Melting Point: 2128 K
Boiling Point: 4682 K
Density: 6.52 g/cm3
Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
Ionization Energy: 6.634 eV
Oxidation State: +4
See also:
Wikipedia - Basics on Zirconium
WebElements - The basic elements of Zirconium
Jefferson Lab - Learning about Zirconium
