HAFNIUM HF72

One of the most recently discovered elements.

Hafnium was one of the last elements to be discovered in 1923. Due to its technical properties, it is used in a number of high-tech applications. The use in nuclear reactors in the course of the decarbonization of global power generation and, above all, the rapidly growing semiconductor technology as well as the significantly increasing demand for hafnium for aircraft turbines should lead to a steady increase in demand in the coming years.

Hafnium was from Dirk Coster discovered.

Special properties:High melting and boiling point, high corrosion resistance, high dielectric constant, non-toxic and biocompatible, low thermal neutron capture cross section
Application areas:Aerospace, nuclear industry, high-efficiency lightning protection, modern semiconductors, computer chips, lasers
Future Technologies:Nuclear reactor control rods, energy efficient transistors, catalysts for a range of chemical reactions, optical coatings

PROPERTIES

VALUE

item category

transition metal

thermal conductivity

3.1 10⁶ kg/m³

electric conductivity

23 s/m

density

13.31 kg/m³

melting point

2.506°C

boiling point

4.876°C

Due to its difficult extraction, hafnium is only used in small amounts. The main area of application is in nuclear technology, where hafnium is used as a control rod to regulate the chain reaction in nuclear reactors. In addition, there are a few other applications. For example, hafnium reacts quickly with small amounts of oxygen and nitrogen and can therefore be used as a getter to remove minute amounts of these substances from ultra-high vacuum systems. When burning, the metal gives off a very bright light. It is therefore possible to use hafnium in flashbulbs with particularly high light output. In addition, it can be used to produce very stable and high-melting compounds.

Discovered in 1923 as one of the last elements, hafnium is a silvery, malleable metal. Its melting and boiling temperatures are very high. Hafnium is a relatively base metal that is superconductive at extremely low temperatures and is very reactive when finely divided.

Hafnium is a relatively rare metal obtained mainly as a by-product of zirconium production. The price of hafnium is influenced by several factors, including supply and demand dynamics, technological advances, and economic conditions. Below are some trends that have affected the price of hafnium in the past: Supply Dynamics: The supply of hafnium is limited because it is produced only as a byproduct of zirconium refining. Therefore, any disruption in zirconium production can affect the supply and price of hafnium. The price of hafnium can be very sensitive to supply disruptions such as production cuts or mine closures. A decrease in hafnium supply can drive the price up, while an increase in supply can drive the price down. Technological Advancement: hafnium has unique properties that make it suitable for a number of technological applications, including nuclear reactors, semiconductors, aerospace, and catalysis. Demand for hafnium may be affected by technological advances and the development of new applications for the metal. As new applications for hafnium are discovered or as existing applications become more popular, this may increase demand and raise the price. Economic Conditions: As with other metals and commodities, the price of hafnium can be affected by economic conditions such as inflation and market volatility. When investors are concerned about market volatility, they may turn to safer assets such as precious metals, which can drive up their prices. Overall, the price of hafnium is subject to a variety of complex and interrelated factors, and its movement can be difficult to predict in the short term. However, investors and analysts often look to economic indicators, supply dynamics, and technological advances for insight into future hafnium price movements.