Zirconium is a kind of elemental metal, which is used in the atomic energy industry as a corrosion resistant chemical material under high temperature and high pressure. Zirconium surface is easy to form a layer of oxide film, with luster, so the appearance and steel similar. It is corrosion-resistant and soluble in hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid. At high temperature, it can react with nonmetallic elements and many metallic elements to form solid solution compounds.
Zirconium is a kind of active metal with great affinity with oxygen. The excellent corrosion resistance of the oxide film determines that it is suitable for multiple corrosion environments.
The corrosion rate of industrial pure zirconium in all boiling concentrations of hydrochloric acid is less than 0.025mm/a.
Zirconium has excellent corrosion resistance in sulphuric acid less than 70%. In addition, because stainless steel and nickel alloy cannot be used at high temperature, 20% sulfuric acid and 40-60% boiling temperature below the range of sulfuric acid, zirconium in sulfuric acid environment has irreplaceable role.
Three, below 200℃, no more than 90% of nitric acid, zirconium has a good corrosion resistance. However, stress corrosion cracking sensitivity of zirconium in nitric acid should be noted.
Zirconium is resistant to corrosion at all concentrations even in boiling caustic solutions. Corrosion resistance than tantalum, niobium, titanium.
