40 Zr

Zirconium

Transition Metal

Atomic Mass

91.224 u

Density

6.52 g/cm³ (at 20 °C)

Melting Point

1855 °C

Boiling Point

4409 °C

State

Solid

Discovery

1789

Discovery

Discovered by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1789. Isolated in 1824 by Jöns Jacob Berzelius.

Used in surgical implants due to its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance.
Zircaloy alloys are used as cladding for nuclear fuel rods in nuclear reactors.
Zirconium oxide (zirconia) is used to make synthetic gemstones like cubic zirconia.
Used in some pigments and as an opacifier in ceramics.

Named after the mineral zircon, which is an important source of zirconium.
Highly resistant to corrosion by many acids and alkalis.
Finely divided zirconium metal can ignite spontaneously in air, especially at high temperatures.
Zirconium and its alloys are used in aerospace applications due to their strength at high temperatures.

2D Model Visualization