Zirconium for superior corrosion resistance

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Advanced Materials and Processes

OSTI ID:477141

Bird, K W ^[1]; Richardson, K ^[2]

---

1. SPF Corp. of America, Louisville, CO (United States)
2. Wah Chang, Albany, OR (United States)

Zirconium is a transition element located along with sister elements titanium and hafnium in Group IVB of the periodic table. It is grayish white metal, with a density somewhat less than carbon steel. Zirconium is the ninth most common metallic element in the earth`s crust, and is more abundant than zinc, lead, nickel, or even copper. Zirconium is exceptionally resistant to corrosion by many common acids and alkalis. It is resistant to most organic acids, such as formic, acetic, lactic, and oxalic acids. It also has a high resistance to localized forms of corrosion, such as pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. Its corrosion resistance is caused by the formation of a dense, tenaciously adherent, chemically inert oxide film on the surface. This oxide film protects the base metal from both chemical and mechanical attack at temperatures up to about 400 C (750 F). This article describes zirconium`s formability, machinability, corrosion resistance, and several typical applications.

• OSTI ID: 477141
• Journal Information: Advanced Materials and Processes, Journal Name: Advanced Materials and Processes Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 151; ISSN AMAPEX; ISSN 0882-7958
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CORROSION RESISTANCE
COST
FABRICATION
HYDROXIDES
INORGANIC ACIDS
MACHINING
MATERIALS WORKING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
WELDING
ZIRCONIUM