1. Zircon is a shiny silver-gray metal
Zircon has high ductility and extremely strong corrosion and heat resistance. The symbol of zirconium in the periodic table is Zr, and its atomic number is 40. The melting point of zircon is 1855℃, and the boiling point is 4409℃. It is not corroded by acids, bases, or seawater.
2. Mineral zircon is widely distributed on the Earth's surface
Zircon is mainly extracted from mineral zircon. Mineral zircon is commonly found in the sand of coastal waters, but it does not exist in enriched sediments. Instead, it is widely dispersed underground. Currently, the main producing countries of zircon include Australia, China, Indonesia, South Africa, and Ukraine. Outside the Earth, this element has been identified in stars such as the Sun and lunar rocks.
3. Zircon was discovered in 1789
German chemist Martin Claiprot found zircon in a zircon stone brought from Sri Lanka. In 1925, pure metallic zirconium, not mixed with other elements or alloyed, was first produced. However, zircon was not widely used in industry until the late 1940s, becoming an important engineering material for nuclear energy production.
4. Zircon is mainly used in nuclear power
Zircon is indispensable in nuclear energy production, especially as the cladding for long cylindrical fuel rods in nuclear reactors. Zircon is used as the best material for coating uranium blocks for several reasons: this metal is particularly resistant to corrosion and high temperatures, and it almost does not absorb neutrons from nuclear fission reactions. The latter characteristic is crucial for the effective operation of the chain reaction in the reactor core and the continuous generation of energy.
By coating uranium fuel, zircon also helps protect the coolant (usually water flowing through the reactor core) from contamination. It is estimated that up to 90% of the zircon produced worldwide is used in nuclear power.
5. Although most zircon is used in the nuclear field, the uses of zircon are not limited to this.
Zircon is widely used in the chemical industry due to its strong corrosion resistance to various acids and bases. Zircon compounds are also used in ceramics, abrasives, filaments, jet engines, and aerospace components. In the medical field, zirconium dioxide, also known as zirconium oxide, is used as a material for dental and surgical implants due to its bio-compatibility and durability. Zirconia, also known as cubic zirconia, a synthetic material, is used as a substitute for diamonds and other gemstones.
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