Zirconium semi-finished products

HWN titan GmbH’ headquarters are based in Mönchengladbach (NRW) offering zirconium semi-finished products to customers worldwide. If you are looking for a reliable partner to purchase zirconium semi-finished products from, HWN titan GmbH will be the optimum solution. Learn more about our product range and contact our service center via phone or through our online contact form. Our experts will be happy to serve you.

Facts about Zirconium

Zirconium and zirconium alloys are among the reactive metals. This element was discovered in 1789 by the chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth. Mainly, it is extracted from zircon sands (ZrSiO4) and baddelites (ZrO2) which are mostly found in Australia. Only 1% of the extracted zirconium is processed into metallic materials, the main share being used by the pigment industry. Like titanium the extraction of zirconium is done using the Kroll process.

Zirconium semi-finished Products and Alloys

Today, zirconium semi-finished products are mainly used in nuclear and chemical industries whereby the materials used are substantially different in terms of their hafnium content. Due to a stable and firmly adhering layer of zirconium oxide zirconium, Zr 702 provides outstanding corrosion features that are highly valued in the chemical industry. In this respect the hafnium content is playing a minor role. In opposition to the afore mentioned, the nuclear industry requires zirconium alloys with a minimum share of hafnium. This is a so-called neutron poison. Here, the material of zircaloy with a hafnium share of <0,1% serves as fuel element cladding tube, requiring a low neutron capture cross section in order to reach a maximum yield from the desired chain reaction of the fuel uranium.

The separation of hafnium and zirconium is complex and difficult which is mirrored in the material pricing. Basically, zirconium Zr 700, Zr 702 and Zr 705 as well as zircaloy 2 and zircaloy 4 are available in all semi-finished product moulds. Zr 700’s and Zr 702`s mechanical properties are defined by the amount of dissolved residue gases with oxygen playing a leading role. For the other alloys desired features are achieved through the targeted addition of other elements like niobium.

Processing – buy zirconium semi-finished products

The processing of zirconium is manageable under consideration of certain material features. For generous radii and clean, notch-free surfaces the material can be easily shaped, for tight radii it is advisable to preheat the material and tools. For welding it is necessary to ensure a sufficient shielding from pure argon below 300°C during the melting and cooling period. Zirconium is becoming increasingly important in dental industry and as alloying element in titanium alloys for implants.

Product moulds

Ingot • Slab • Club • Rod • Wire • Plate • Sheet Metal • Coil • Foil • Pipe • Pipe Accessories