zirconium

American  

[zur-koh-nee-uhm] / zɜrˈkoʊ ni əm /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a metallic element found combined in zircon, baddeleyite, etc., resembling titanium chemically: used in steel metallurgy, as a scavenger, as a refractory, and as an opacifier in vitreous enamels. Zr; 91.22; 40; 6.49 at 20°C.

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zirconium British  

/ zɜːˈkɒnɪk, zɜːˈkəʊnɪəm /

noun

1. a greyish-white metallic element, occurring chiefly in zircon, that is exceptionally corrosion-resistant and has low neutron absorption. It is used as a coating in nuclear and chemical plants, as a deoxidizer in steel, and alloyed with niobium in superconductive magnets. Symbol: Zr; atomic no: 40; atomic wt: 91.224; valency: 2, 3, or 4; relative density: 6.506; melting pt: 1855±2°C; boiling pt: 4409°C

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zirconium Scientific  

/ zûr-kō′nē-əm /

1. A shiny, grayish-white metallic element that occurs primarily in zircon. It is used to build nuclear reactors because of its ability to withstand bombardment by neutrons even at high temperatures. Zirconium is also highly resistant to corrosion, making it a useful component of pumps, valves, and alloys. Atomic number 40; atomic weight 91.22; melting point 1,852°C; boiling point 4,377°C; specific gravity 6.56 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4.

2. See Periodic Table

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Other Word Forms

• zirconic adjective

Etymology

Origin of zirconium

From New Latin, dating back to 1800–10; zircon, -ium

Example Sentences

The findings were consistent with previous work on chromium, calcium, titanium, and zirconium isotopes: Earth and Moon show no measurable differences in these ratios.

From Science Daily

Follow-up work in the field and lab confirmed not just elevated levels of rare earths, but also niobium and zirconium, minerals used in jet engine components and nuclear control rods.

From Salon

At such high temperatures, hydrogen could be released from the zirconium cladding and the reactor could start to melt down.

From Reuters

In a process he and colleagues developed, the VFAs are vaporized, then percolate over a bed of white, marble-size pellets of zirconium oxide, which knit the VFAs into longer chains called ketones.

From Science Magazine

The soil contains arsenic, antimony, copper, zirconium and other dangerous heavy metals, much of it residue from mining activity in the region.

From Seattle Times