Because it emits electrons easily, hafnium can be used as the cathode of an X-ray tube. Alloys of hafnium and tungsten or molybdenum are also used as electrodes for high voltage discharge tubes. According to a 2012 report, a research team led by Andrew frovett of the university of Cambridge's department of engineering has developed a new hafnium oxide with a higher dielectric constant, which could be used to make the next generation of smaller electronic devices, photovoltaic manufacturing equipment and more efficient photovoltaic cells.
Hafnium metal has excellent welding performance, processing performance, high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, so it has become an important material in the atomic energy industry. Hafnium has a large cross section of thermal neutron capture, which is an ideal neutron absorber.
Hafnium ACTS as a getter for many aeration systems. Hafnium getter removes oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases that are present in the system. In addition, hafnium has a strong anti - volatile, commonly used as hydraulic oil additives, to prevent the high - risk operation of hydraulic oil volatile.
Hafnium has ductility, oxidation resistance, high temperature resistance and other characteristics, is also a good alloy material, has been used in a variety of alloys. For example, hafniobium alloy containing 10% hafnium can be used as the nozzle of the lunar rocket, and tantalum tungsten alloy containing 2% hafnium can be used as the protective material of the spacecraft due to its high creep strength.
