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Discovered in 1789, zirconium is found in nature as zircon,
ZrSiO4, in beach sands and the beds of streams and lakes, chiefly in
Australia and Florida. It is always associated in nature with hafnium.
Zirconium reacts with the oxygen and nitrogen
in the atmosphere to form a protective film that prevents further corrosion
of the metal. It is known in industry as a tough, corrosion-resistant metal
that is suitable for use in high-performance pumps, valves, and building material
for jets and rockets. Zirconium has very low neutron absorption capability and
it serves as the inner lining of reactors in nuclear submarines and atomic power
plants. Its compounds have many miscellaneous applications in ceramics, catalysts,
and special alloys. When alloyed with niobium, zirconium
becomes superconductive. The sulfate
of zirconium is used in tanning white leather.
