Hafnium: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:09, 15 October 2002

Revision as of 19:14, 15 October 2002

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== Notable Characteristics ==

A shiny silvery metal, and corrosion resistant. The properties of hafnium are markedly affected by [[zirconium]] impurities.

== Applications ==

Hafnium will absorb neutrons[[neutron]]s, so is used to make nuclear control rods, such as those found in [[nuclear]] submarines[[submarine]]s. Hafnium is used in incandescent lamps, and for scavenging [[oxygen]] and [[nitrogen]].

== History ==

Discovered by Coster and von Hevesey in 1932.

== Occurrence ==

Hafnium is found whereever natural [[zirconium]] compounds are found. Minerals that contain [[zirconium]] usually have a between 1 and 5 percent hafnium.

Hafnium and [[zirconium]] have nearly identical chemistry, which makes the two difficult to separate.

== Compounds ==

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== Precautions ==

<font color="red">Hafnium, when divided into fine particles, is [[pyrophoric]] and can ignite spontaneously in air.</font> Care needs to be taken when machining hafnium.