zirconium
/zə:'kounjəm/
Definition
- Noun:
- A lustrous, grayish-white, strong metallic element with the symbol Zr and atomic number 40. It is highly resistant to corrosion and resembles titanium in some properties. Zirconium is used in various industrial applications, including as a cladding material in nuclear reactors due to its low neutron absorption, and in alloys, ceramics, and abrasives.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Zirconium is extracted from the mineral zircon.
- The fuel rods in some nuclear reactors are sheathed in zirconium alloys.
- Due to its biocompatibility, zirconium is sometimes used in dental implants.
Advanced Usage
"Zirconium dioxide" (ZrO₂): Also known as zirconia, a white crystalline oxide of zirconium. It is used in ceramics, as a refractory material, and in cubic zirconia gemstones.
- The laboratory crucible was made from zirconium dioxide for its high melting point.
"Zirconium silicate" (ZrSiO₄): The principal ore of zirconium, known as the mineral zircon.
- Zircon, or zirconium silicate, is often used as a gemstone.
Variants and Related Words
- Zirconia (n): A common name for zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂).
- Zircon (n): A mineral (zirconium silicate) that is the primary source of zirconium and is also used as a gemstone.
- Zircaloy (n): A trademark for a group of zirconium alloys, notably used in nuclear reactor components.
Synonyms
- Element Zr: The chemical symbol for zirconium.
- Metallic element: A general category to which zirconium belongs.
Related Phrases and Compounds
Zirconium alloy: A metallic material combining zirconium with other elements to enhance specific properties.
- Zircaloy is a specific zirconium alloy used in the nuclear industry.
Zirconium sponge: A porous form of metallic zirconium produced as an intermediate in the extraction process.
- The zirconium sponge was further processed to create pure metal.
Related Idioms
(Note: As a specific chemical element, 'zirconium' itself does not feature in common English idioms. Idioms are typically formed with more common words.)
Noun
-
a lustrous grey strong metallic element resembling titanium; it is used in nuclear reactors as a neutron absorber; it occurs in baddeleyite but is obtained chiefly from zircon
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