Zirconium

Zirconium Products: Extraction and Applications
1. Raw Material Mining
Zirconium is primarily obtained from zircon (ZrSiO₄), which is found in countries like Australia, Brazil, India, and Russia. It is mined through:
Open-pit mining for shallow deposits.
Underground mining for deeper deposits.

2. Ore Processing
The zircon ore undergoes:
Crushing and Grinding to break it into smaller particles.
Beneficiation methods like gravity separation or magnetic separation to concentrate zircon.

3. Refining Process
Zirconium is refined by:
Alkaline Fusion: Fusing zircon with sodium hydroxide to produce zirconium hydroxide, which is then purified.
Chlorination: Zirconium oxide is treated with chlorine to extract pure zirconium.

4. Zirconium Products
Refined zirconium is used to produce:
Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO₂): Used in ceramics, refractories, and electronics.
Metal Zirconium (Sponge): Used in nuclear reactors and uranium fuel cladding.
Zirconium Alloys: Known for their corrosion resistance, used in aerospace and chemical equipment.