Zirconium content
Commercial hafnium always carries some zirconium. Its level, together with oxygen and iron, defines the grade.
Metals · Hf · 72
Hafnium
Hafnium is produced only as a by-product of zirconium refining, so supply is small and tight. We trade it at every stage of the value chain and advise the companies that produce and use it.
72HfHafnium178.49
- Atomic number
- 72
- Melting point
- 2233 °C
- Density
- 13.31 g/cm³
Hafnium and zirconium occur together and are hard to separate; hafnium is removed when zirconium is purified. Small hafnium additions improve nickel-base superalloys for turbine blades and vanes, the niobium alloy C103 contains about ten percent hafnium, and hafnium oxide is used as a dielectric in semiconductor chips. Our focus is on superalloy recycling, hafnium oxide, and hafnium for alloys such as C103. Looking ahead, hafnium carbide and hafnium diboride are among the ultra-high-temperature ceramics studied for hypersonic flight.
From ore to product
- 01
Chlorination
Zircon sand is chlorinated to a mix of zirconium and hafnium tetrachloride.
- 02
Separation
Solvent extraction or extractive distillation separates hafnium from zirconium.
- 03
Oxide
Hafnium is precipitated and calcined to hafnium oxide (HfO₂).
- 04
Reduction
Hafnium tetrachloride is reduced with magnesium (Kroll process) to hafnium sponge.
- 05
Refining
Crystal bar refining or electron-beam melting gives high-purity hafnium for alloys and electronics.
What matters in a deal
Export control
Hafnium metal and some alloys can fall under EU dual-use export controls. Licences need to be checked before shipping.
Superalloy revert
Hafnium-bearing revert is valued on its full alloy content, including nickel, cobalt, tantalum and rhenium. The alloy designation or an assay is the basis for any offer.
Questions
Why is hafnium supply so tight?
Hafnium is only produced as a by-product when zirconium is refined, so its output depends on zirconium demand, not on hafnium prices.
What is hafnium used for?
In nickel-base superalloys for turbines, in the niobium alloy C103 (about ten percent hafnium), as hafnium oxide in semiconductor chips and in plasma cutting electrodes.
How do I reach Refraxys about material or a project?
Send a short description of your material or your requirement, an analysis if you have one, the quantity and the location to info@refraxys.com, or call us. You speak directly to the person who decides.
Contact
Material to sell, supply to find?
Send us a short description, an analysis if you have one, the quantity and the location. You speak directly to the person who decides.
Dr.-Ing. Ole Brettschneider
Founder & Managing Director