Since ancient times, zirconium has been regarded as a gemstone because of its rich and colorful colors, and plays a decorative role in human life. As people's understanding of zirconium continues to deepen, the application of zirconium is becoming more and more extensive. Perhaps most people are unfamiliar with zirconium, but it has penetrated into all aspects of our lives. For example, various buildings around us, ceramics, knives, decorations, etc. that are indispensable in life, and even in the military and nuclear power fields. Zirconium products are rich in variety and in various forms. The initial mineral form is zircon sand. After caustic soda, water washing and other treatments, primary products such as zirconium silicate and zirconium oxychloride can be generated; further calcination, chlorination, and reduction can also be made into zirconium dioxide, industrial-grade sponge zirconium and other products; if the purification and separation technology level reaches a certain level, it can be made into nuclear-grade sponge zirconium. Zirconium has a wide range of applications, mainly in the form of zirconium silicate and zirconium oxide in ceramics, refractory materials and other fields. Only 3%-4% of zirconium ore is processed into metallic zirconium (or sponge zirconium), and then further processed into various zirconium materials. Since metal zirconium has a small thermal neutron absorption cross section, it has excellent nuclear properties. Nuclear-grade zirconium is used as a structural material for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and civilian power reactors, and as a cladding for uranium fuel elements. Nuclear-grade zirconium can be regarded as an important strategic metal for the country and is closely related to the development of the nuclear industry.

Zirconium, as an active metal, forms an oxide film at room temperature, which makes zirconium and its alloys have excellent corrosion resistance. At the same time, zirconium has good mechanical and heat transfer properties, coupled with significant cost advantages, making it an excellent corrosion-resistant structural material in today's petrochemical industry.

Zirconium used in chemical acid and alkali resistant equipment, military industry, and electronics industry is called industrial-grade zirconium. In terms of processing difficulty, process level and technological content, metal zirconium and its alloy products are at the top of the industrial chain.

ZIRCONIUM PRODUCT APPLICATIONS AND INTRODUCTION

Zirconium silicate

Zirconium silicate is an important variety of traditional zirconium products. The product is made of zircon sand and can be made after grinding, calcining and pulverizing. It is a high-quality and low-cost ceramic glaze emulsifier. It is mainly used in the production of color glazes for architectural ceramics, daily ceramics and electrical ceramics. It is also widely used in advanced refractory materials, precision casting, emulsified glass and other industries.

Zirconium dioxide

Non-toxic, odorless white solid, has sufficient stability to alkaline solutions and many acidic solutions, suitable for precision ceramics, electronic ceramics, optical lenses, glass additives, electrolytic zirconium bricks, ceramic pigments, porcelain glazes, artificial gems, refractory materials, grinding and polishing and other industries and products.