Sponge zircon

　　Spongy zirconium is a silvery-gray, lustrous, reactive metal with a melting point of 1852 ± 2.001°C, a boiling point of 4377°C, and a density of 6.49 g/cm³. It appears as a porous, sponge-like material. Classified by purity into industrial grade and nuclear grade, it is primarily used in aerospace, military applications, fuel cladding tubes for nuclear reactors, corrosion‑resistant materials, and components for controlled nuclear fusion devices, boasting properties such as high‑temperature resistance and neutron radiation resistance.

　　 Melting point: 1852°C, boiling point: 4377°C, density: 6.49. Zirconium readily absorbs hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen; it exhibits a strong affinity for oxygen, and the dissolution of oxygen in zirconium at 1000°C can cause a significant increase in its volume. Zirconium is relatively stable in air; powdered zirconium burns easily, and fine zirconium wire can be ignited with a match. At high temperatures, it can directly combine with dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.

　　 Specifications: 3-25mm

　　 Purpose: Aerospace, military industry, nuclear reactions, atomic energy, and the addition of ultra‑hard metallic materials—used to manufacture bulletproof alloy steel—and can also serve as cladding alloy for uranium fuel in reactors; zirconium readily emits electrons at high temperatures.

　　 Product Features: Metallic zirconium exhibits extremely strong corrosion resistance, as well as high hardness and strength.

　　 Chemical composition: Zr 99.4% Hf <2.5–3% Ni <0.01% Cr ≤0.02% Al 0.01% Mg 0.06% Mn 0.01%

Nuclear‑grade sponge zirconium
Key essential materials for nuclear power plant reactors

　　 Nuclear-grade sponge zirconium is a critical material for nuclear power plant reactors, as well as for military nuclear propulsion systems such as nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and it is classified as an important strategic commodity for the nation. This material is based on zirconium and is produced through zirconium–hafnium separation technology. It is primarily used to manufacture nuclear‑grade zirconium alloy materials, including fuel rod cladding tubes and core structural components—key components of nuclear power equipment—that can operate continuously under high‑temperature and high‑pressure conditions ranging from 300 to 400°C.

　　 For a long time, domestically produced nuclear‑grade sponge zirconium relied heavily on imports. Through the introduction of advanced technologies and independent innovation, relevant enterprises have established a complete nuclear‑grade zirconium–hafnium industrial chain and now possess the requisite production capacity. Some companies have even achieved full‑chain capabilities, spanning from raw materials to finished products. In 2020, China exported nuclear‑grade sponge zirconium in bulk to Russia for the first time, and its products successfully passed international qualification assessments. According to forecasts, domestic demand is expected to approach 3,000 tons by 2030.