ZIRCONIUM AND HAFNIUM (Data in metric tons, unless noted) Domestic Production and Use: Zircon sand was produced at two mines in Florida. Zirconium and hafnium metal were produced from zircon sand by two domestic producers, one in Oregon and another in Utah. Both metals are present in the ore typically in a Zr to Hf ratio of 50:1. Primary zirconium chemicals were produced by the Oregon metal producer and at a plant in New Jersey. Secondary zirconium chemicals were produced by about 10 other companies as well. Zirconia (ZrO2) was produced from zircon sand at plants in Alabama, New Hampshire, New York, and Ohio, and the metal producer in Oregon. Zircon refractories and foundry applications are the largest end uses for zirconium. Other end uses of zirconium include abrasives, chemicals, metal alloys, welding rod coatings, and sandblasting. The largest market for hafnium metal is as an addition in superalloys. Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995e/ Production: Zircon (ZrO2 content)1/ 67,000 70,300 W W W Imports: Zirconium, ores and concentrates (ZrO2 content) 23,200 24,300 45,500 53,300 68,200 Zirconium, alloys, waste and scrap (ZrO2 content) 702 745 798 837 840 Zirconium oxide (ZrO2 content) NA NA 1,950 2,400 3,700 Hafnium, unwrought, waste and scrap 3 2 3 5 5 Exports: Zirconium ores and concentrates (ZrO2 content) 20,400 18,100 23,400 20,800 23,600 Zirconium alloys, waste and scrap (ZrO2 content) 1,870 2,310 2,020 1,640 2,150 Consumption, zirconium ores and concentrates, apparent, (ZrO2 content)2/ 72,700 78,000 W W W Prices: Zircon, dollars per ton: Domestic 340 215 NA NA NA Imported, f.o.b. U.S. east coast 340 255 200 278 330 Zirconium sponge, dollars per pound 9-12 9-12 9-12 9-12 9-12 Hafnium sponge, dollars per kilogram 165-210 165-210 165-210 165-210 165-210 Net import reliance as a percent of apparent consumption2/ Zirconium 1 8 12 W W Hafnium NA NA NA NA NA Recycling: Zirconium metal was recycled by four companies, one each in California, Michigan, New York, and Texas. The majority of the zirconium recycled came from scrap generated during metal production and fabrication. Zircon foundry mold cores and spent or rejected zirconia refractories are often recycled. Recycling of hafnium metal was insignificant. Import Sources (1991-94): Zirconium ores and concentrates: Australia, 56%; South Africa, 43%; and other, 1%. Zirconium, wrought, unwrought, waste and scrap: France, 55%; Germany, 13%; Japan, 12%; Canada, 11%; and other, 9%. Hafnium, unwrought, waste and scrap: France, 96%; Germany, 3%; and other, 1%. Tariff: Item Number Most favored nation (MFN) Non-MFN3/ 12/31/95 12/31/95 Zirconium ores and concentrates 2615.10.0000 Free Free. Germanium oxides and ZrO2 2825.60.0000 3.7% ad val. 25% ad val. Ferrozirconium 7202.99.1000 4.1% ad val. 25% ad val. Zirconium, waste and scrap 8109.10.3000 Free Free. Zirconium, other unwrought, powders 8109.10.6000 4.2% ad val. 25% ad val. Zirconium, other wrought, alloys 8109.90.0000 5.5% ad val. 45% ad val. Unwrought hafnium, waste and scrap 8112.91.2000 Free 25.0% ad val. Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign). Government Stockpile: In addition to 14,500 tons of baddeleyite ore held in the National Defense Stockpile, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) held over 500 tons of zirconium in various forms. DOE also maintained a supply of approximately 35 tons of hafnium. Prepared by Joseph M. Gambogi, (703) 648-7718. ZIRCONIUM AND HAFNIUM Stockpile Status--9-30-95 Material Uncommitted Committed Authorized Disposals inventory inventory for disposal Jan.-Sept. 95 Baddeleyite 14,500 -- -- -- Events, Trends, and Issues: Demand for zirconium ores and concentrates outpaced supply, causing prices to increase sharply. Increased demand was driven by consumption in the ceramics industry where zircon is used in ceramic tiles and glazes. Shortages of material were expected in the coming years. Availability of hafnium continued to exceed supply. Surpluses were stockpiled in the form of hafnium oxide. The demand for nuclear-grade zirconium metal, the production of which necessitates hafnium's removal, produces more hafnium than can be consumed by the metal's uses. Zirconium and hafnium exhibit nearly identical properties and are not separated for most applications. However, zirconium and hafnium are separated for certain nuclear applications. Because hafnium is a strong absorber of thermal neutrons, zirconium-clad fuel rods in nuclear reactors are hafnium-free to improve reactor efficiency. At the same time, hafnium is used in reactor control rods to regulate the fission process through neutron absorption. World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: World primary hafnium production statistics are not available. Hafnium occurs with zirconium in the minerals zircon and baddeleyite. Zirconium Hafnium Mine productione/ Reserves4/ Reserve base4/ Reserves4/ Reserve base4/ (thousand metric tons) (million metric tons, ZrO2) (thousand metric tons, HfO2) 1994 1995 United States W W 1.7 5.3 32 97 Australia 502 500 6.3 27.0 114 484 Brazil 20 20 .4 .4 7 7 Chinae 15 15 .5 1.0 NA NA India 18 20 3.4 3.8 42 46 South Africa 245 260 14.3 14.3 259 259 Ukrainee 65 65 4.0 6.0 NA NA Other countries 21 20 .9 4.1 NA NA World total (may be rounded) 5/ 890 5/ 900 32 62 450 890 World Resources: Resources of zircon in the United States included about 14 million tons associated with titanium resources in heavy-mineral sand deposits. Phosphate and sand and gravel deposits have the potential to yield substantial amounts of zircon as a future byproduct. Eudialyte and gittinsite are zirconium silicate minerals that have a potential for zirconia production. Identified world resources of zircon exceed 60 million tons. Resources of hafnium in the United States are estimated to be about 130,000 tons, available in the 13-million-ton domestic resources of zircon. World resources of hafnium are associated with those of zircon and baddeleyite and exceed 1 million tons. Substitutes: Chromite and olivine can be used instead of zircon for some foundry applications. Dolomite and spinel refractories can also substitute for zircon in certain high-temperature applications. Columbium (niobium), stainless steel, and tantalum provide limited substitution in nuclear applications, while titanium and synthetic materials may substitute in some chemical plant uses. Silver-cadmium-indium control rods are used in lieu of hafnium at numerous nuclear power plants. Zirconium can be used interchangeably with hafnium in certain superalloys; in others, only hafnium produces the desired or required grain boundary refinement. e/Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 1/ZrO2 content of zircon is typically 65%. 2/Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3/See Appendix B. 4/See Appendix C for definitions. 5/Excludes the United States. Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 1996