Zirconium: Occurrence, Properties, Uses, and Current Issues in Military Supply

 Occurrence

     Zirconium is an atomic element most often produced as a by-product of mining and processing of the titanium minerals ilmenite and rutile, as well as tin mining. It is the 18th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. The main commercial source of zirconium is zircon (ZrSiO4), a silicate mineral. It is mainly found in Australia, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa and the United States. As of 2013, two-thirds of zircon mining occurs in Australia and South Africa. Zirconium is also abundant in stars and meteorites. In the U.S., zirconium is produced mainly in Florida.  

     Note: The data below is from 2014, and the map may be from 2005, so it may be out of date.

 

Properties

     According to Wikipedia

“Zirconium is a lustrous, greyish-white, soft, ductile, malleable metal that is solid at room temperature, though it is hard and brittle at lesser purities. In powder form, zirconium is highly flammable, but the solid form is much less prone to ignition. Zirconium is highly resistant to corrosion by alkalis, acids, salt water and other agents. However, it will dissolve in hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, especially when fluorine is present. Alloys with zinc are magnetic at less than 35 K.”

     Zirconium’s heat resistance and corrosion resistance are the key to some of its uses.

 

Uses

“Most zircon is used directly in high-temperature applications. Because it is refractory, hard, and resistant to chemical attack, zircon finds many applications. Its main use is as an opacifier, conferring a white, opaque appearance to ceramic materials. Because of its chemical resistance, zircon is also used in aggressive environments, such as moulds for molten metals.”

     Zircon is also used in nuclear reactors as a nuclear fuel rod cladding. First, the hafnium impurities must be removed from the zirconium. Zirconium reacts with water to form hydrogen. This can be dangerous under certain circumstances, for instance, when the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan was interrupted by the earthquake and tsunami, fuel rod cladding recated with water, formed hydrogen, which later exploded after it combined with atmospheric oxygen. Zirconium is also used in some nuclear fuels as uranium zirconium hydrides in TRIGA research reactors.

     Zirconium is used in fuel combustors and blades for jet engines. Its use in aeronautics and the space industry includes using it for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) tanks, propellant lines, valves, and thrusters. Its corrosion resistance to H2O2 is a key here. It is also used in weapons systems.

     Zirconium also has medical uses. It is used in dental implants, crowns, and many kinds of prosthetics. It is used in kidney dialysis and to treat hyperkalemia, an excess of potassium.

     Zirconium is not considered hazardous, but the powder is highly flammable and can irritate the eyes. It is used in deodorant sticks and in water purification. It is also a component of many foods and is naturally present in the human body.

     Zirconium is also used in many products and materials formulations. It is commonly used in toilets and in bathroom tiles.

 

Zirconium’s Use in Weapons of Concern Suggests Controlling Access Could Be an Option

     According to a recent article in the Daily Mail, Australia, which currently controls three-quarters of zirconium reserves, is a major supplier to China, where it is used in the nuclear industry as well as in the weapons industry. It is a necessary component of hypersonic missiles, which China has been building up. This is concerning to the U.S. military. China has identified the mineral as crucial for national security. China only produces about one percent of the zirconium it uses. The U.S. also imports most of its zirconium, and it is on the expanded list of critical minerals. It is also now known that China has been re-exporting zirconium to Russia, which helps with its war effort. While Australia has been criticized for providing zirconium to China, it is also realized that there are other sources of zirconium that China could rely on, so it is not likely that flows can be curbed.

     According to the article and Jennifer Parker, expert associate at ANU's National Security College:

“Australia finds itself in a unique position - simultaneously signing a $13bn critical minerals deal with the US to lessen Beijing's chokehold on global supply, while supplying minerals vital for China's military build-up.”

“We need to look at how does our economic and our trade policy support our security strategy.”

“We need to ask a lot of hard questions about what we are trading, who we're trading it with, what does that mean for their capability, and what does that mean for our vulnerabilities.”

 

 

References:

 

Zirconium. Wikipedia. Zirconium - Wikipedia

Zirconium resources, reserves and production, Asian Metal. Metalpedia. Zirconium: resources, reserves and production-Metalpedia

Australia exposed as China's biggest supplier of mineral that is vital to its nuclear program. Nick Wilson. Daily Mail Australia. November 4, 2025. Australia exposed as China's biggest supplier of mineral that is vital to its nuclear program