Zirconium

From Citizendium
Revision as of 07:54, 7 May 2010 by imported>Howard C. Berkowitz
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This article is developing and not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
Properties [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

Zirconium is a chemical element, having the chemical symbol Zr.

Zirconium
91.224(2)



  Zr
40
[Kr] 4d2 5s2
[ ? ] Transition metal:

Its atomic number (the number of protons) is 40. It has a Standard Atomic Weight of 91.224(2), and is typically found as a solid in its elemental form.

Zirconium is considered to be a member of the "Transition metal" class of elements, has a boiling point of 4,409 °C , and a melting point of 1,855 °C .

Civilian applications include cladding of nuclear fuel elements for nuclear reactors cores. Cubic zirconia is a form of high-quality synthetic gemstone.

Zirconium cases are used on military munitions, especially cluster submunitions, where an incendiary effect is desired.