1、 Mechanical properties
1. Comprehensive mechanical strength
Zirconium plates have high tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation, as well as good impact toughness, and can withstand large external forces and pressures. Its tensile strength at room temperature is usually in the range of 400-600 MPa, and its elongation can reach over 20%.
2. High temperature stability
Zirconium plates can maintain stable mechanical properties in high-temperature environments, such as in high-pressure water or steam at 300-400 ℃, where their corrosion resistance and strength do not significantly decrease, making them suitable for high-temperature scenarios such as nuclear reactors.
3. Alloying improvement
The strength of pure zirconium is relatively low, but after adding elements such as niobium to form zirconium alloys, the strength and toughness are significantly improved.
2、 Thermal conductivity
1. Thermal conductivity efficiency
Zirconium has excellent thermal conductivity, with a thermal conductivity of about 22 W/(m · K), similar to stainless steel but much higher than titanium alloy. This feature makes it suitable for scenarios that require efficient heat transfer, such as heat exchanger tube sheets and heat dissipation components.
2. High temperature thermal conductivity stability
At high temperatures, the thermal conductivity of zirconium plates does not significantly decrease, and the dense oxide film formed on the surface can prevent further oxidation, ensuring long-term thermal conductivity efficiency.
3、 Typical applications
1. Nuclear industry: utilizing its low neutron absorption cross-section and high thermal conductivity for key components such as fuel cladding and pressure tubes in nuclear reactors.
2. Chemical equipment, such as corrosion-resistant pressure vessel shells, pipelines, etc., rely on their mechanical strength and corrosion resistance.
3. High temperature components: such as aerospace heat dissipation structures, combined with their high temperature stability and thermal conductivity.
4、 Summary
Although zirconium plates have outstanding comprehensive performance, their high cost and the need for alloying to compensate for insufficient strength limit their large-scale application.
