Hafnium usage and application

Electronic Materials

Since hafnium emits electrons easily, it can be used as the cathode of an X-ray tube. In addition, alloys of hafnium and tungsten or molybdenum are also used as electrodes for high-voltage discharge tubes. According to a report in 2012, a research team led by Andrew Flovitt from the University of Cambridge’s Engineering Department has developed a new type of hafnium oxide with a higher dielectric constant, which is expected to be used in the manufacture of  more miniature electronic equipment, photovoltaic manufacturing equipment and More efficient photovoltaic cells at its next-generation.

Atomic Energy Industry

Metal hafnium has excellent welding performance, processing performance, high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, so it has become an important material in the atomic energy industry. Hafnium has a large thermal neutron capture cross-section, which is an ideal neutron absorber and can be used as a control rod and protection device for an atomic reactor.

Chemistry field

Hafnium can be used as a getter in many inflatable systems. Hafnium getter can remove unnecessary gases such as oxygen and nitrogen in the system. In addition, hafnium has strong resistance to volatility and is often used as an additive for hydraulic oil to prevent the volatilization of hydraulic oil during high-risk operations.

Alloy materials

Hafnium has ductility, oxidation resistance and high temperature resistance. It is also a good alloy material and is used in many alloys. For example, a hafnium-niobium alloy containing 10% of hafnium can be used as a lunar rocket nozzle, and a tantalum-tungsten alloy containing 2% of hafnium can be used as a protective layer material for spacecraft due to its high creep strength.

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