Hafnium is a rare metal with a number of valuable properties. It is used in the nuclear industry; powerful radio tubes are made on its basis. In everyday life, it is extremely difficult to meet hafnium.
Hafnium is a very rare metal. One ton of the earth's crust contains only four grams of hafnium. The only way to obtain it is by processing zirconium ore and some other minerals. Conventional zircons contain up to 4 percent hafnium oxide. To produce this rare metal, zircons are dissolved in boiling acids.
Production
The richest hafnium country is Australia. More than 600 tons of this metal are concentrated here. The total reserves of hafnium on the planet are estimated at 1000 tons. Russia also has a lot of hafnium - it is found in minerals such as granite, baddeleyite, loparite, etc.
The properties
Outwardly, hafnium looks like shiny metal with a silver tint. Hafnium is very refractory and has a high ability to capture thermal neutrons.
Hafnium is chemically inert enough. An oxide film forms on its surface, which protects it from the action of aggressive media. Hafnium is best dissolved in strong acids - nitric, hydrogen fluoride and aqua regia.
