hafnium

American  

[haf-nee-uhm, hahf-] / ˈhæf ni əm, ˈhɑf- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a gray, toxic metallic element with a high melting point (over 2000°C), found in most zirconium minerals. Hf; 178.49; 72; 12.1.

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hafnium British  

/ ˈhæfnɪəm /

noun

1. a bright metallic element found in zirconium ores: used in tungsten filaments and as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors. Symbol: Hf; atomic no: 72; atomic wt: 178.49; valency: 4; relative density: 13.31; melting pt: 2231±20°C; boiling pt: 4603°C

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hafnium Scientific  

/ hăf′nē-əm /

1. A bright, silvery metallic element that occurs in zirconium ores. Because hafnium absorbs neutrons better than any other metal and is resistant to corrosion, it is used to control nuclear reactions. Atomic number 72; atomic weight 178.49; melting point 2,220°C; boiling point 5,400°C; specific gravity 13.3; valence 4.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of hafnium

1923; < New Latin Hafn ( ia ) Copenhagen + -ium

Example Sentences

The researchers layered platinum, hafnium oxide and zinc oxide and added the stacked materials on top of the original magnetoelectric film.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2023

One notable example was the discovery of three particularly rare elements found — hafnium, uranium and tungsten.

From Fox News • Aug. 1, 2019

Control rods are made of boron, cadmium, hafnium, or other elements that are able to absorb neutrons.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Such demands necessitate the use of alloys of exotic metals such as rhenium, hafnium, nickel and titanium to provide the performance, efficiency and weight savings required for today's advanced aircraft engines.

From Nature • Mar. 22, 2016

"If you stay within a half mile of the hafnium pile, the detection man will not be able to pick up your radiation and maybe you will have a second chance."

From The Stutterer by Merliss, R. R.