hafnium powder is a granular, gray metallic substance with a melting point of 2222 degrees C and a boiling point of 4602 degrees C. It is insoluble in water, saline solutions and body chemicals, but soluble in hydrofluoric acid to form a fluoride compound. This material is primarily used to manufacture control rods for nuclear reactors. Hafnium is also used in iron, titanium, niobium and tantalum alloys and as a component of nickel-based superalloys for rocket nozzles, liquid-fueled rocket engines, airframes and other components. It also acts as a scavenger of oxygen and nitrogen in gas-filled or incandescent lamps.
The metal is resistant to corrosion and has a high thermal conductivity. It is also an excellent electrical insulator and a good radioactive shield. In addition, hafnium has a high vapor pressure and is difficult to ignite.
It is a lustrous, silvery-gray, ductile metal that is found in all minerals containing zirconium. It was discovered in 1923 by Coster and Hevesy and is a member of the zirconium family of metals, sharing similar chemistry and properties with zirconium. It is often combined with zirconium to form the corrosion-resistant zirconium-hafnium alloys. It is a rare, precious metal. Hafnium is also an important ingredient in the nuclear industry as it has a very high capture cross section for neutrons, making it useful in generating nuclear energy. It is also an essential material for manufacturing high-temperature refractory materials.