Zirconium is obtained from the silicate ore, zircon, by reduction of the oxide, chloride, etc., or by electrolysis.
It is a silver-grey, malleable and ductile metal. It is used in photo-flash bulbs, for the manufacture of getters or absorbents in radio valve manufacture, etc. Ferro-zirconium (Chapter 72) is used in steel manufacture, and the metal is also alloyed with nickel, etc. Zirconium, alone or alloyed with tin ("zircalloy"), is also used in the manufacture of sheaths for nuclear fuel cartridges and of metal structures for nuclear plant. Zirconium-plutonium alloys and zirconium-uranium alloys are used as nuclear fuel. For nuclear purposes all but traces of hafnium must first be removed.
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