Zirconium

Molecular Structure:

Molecular Formula: Zr
Molecular Weight: 91.224
IUPAC Name: Zirconium
Synonyms of Zirconium (CAS NO.7440-67-7): EINECS 231-176-9 ; HSDB 2528 ; Zircat ; Zirconium metal, dry, chemically produced, finer than 20 mesh particle size (UN2008) ; UN1358 ; UN1932 ; UN2008 ; UN2009 ; UN2858 ; Zirconium and compounds ; Zirconium compounds ; Zirconium powder ; Zirconium powder, dry ; Zirconium powder, dry [UN2008] [Spontaneously combustible] ; Zirconium powder, wetted with not <25% water (a visible excess of water must be present) (a) mechanically produced, particle size <53 microns, (b) chemically produced, particle size <840 microns ; Zirconium powder, wetted with not <25% water (a visible excess of water must be present) (a) mechanically produced, particle size <53 microns, (b) chemically produced, particle size <840 microns [UN1358] [Flammable solid] ; Zirconium scrap ; Zirconium scrap [UN1932] [Spontaneously combustible]  Zirconium, dry, coiled wire, finished metal sheets, strip (thinner than 254 microns but not thinner than 18 microns) ; Zirconium, dry, coiled wire, finished metal sheets, strip (thinner than 254 microns but not thinner than 18 microns) [UN2858] [Flammable solid] ; Zirconium, dry, finished sheets, strip or coiled wire ; Zirconium, dry, finished sheets, strip or coiled wire [UN2009] [Spontaneously combustible] ; Zirconium, elemental
CAS NO: 7440-67-7
Classification Code: TWA 5 mg/m³ ; TWA 5 mg/m3; STEL 10 mg/m³; Not classifiable as a human carcinogen
Melting point: 1852 °C
Boiling Point: 4377 °C
Density: 1.01 g/mL at 25 °C
Form: wire
Merck: 13,10226

The mineral was not known to contain a new element until 1789, when Klaproth analyzed a jargoon from the island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. He named the new element Zirkonerde (zirconia). Zirconium was first isolated in an impure form in 1824 by Berzelius by heating a mixture of potassium and potassium-zirconium fluoride in a small decomposition process conducted in an iron tube.
The crystal bar process (or Iodide process), discovered by Anton Eduard van Arkel and Jan Hendrik de Boer in 1925. It was superseded in 1945 by the much cheaper Kroll process developed by William Justin Kroll, in which zirconium tetrachloride is broken down by magnesium.

  Zirconium (CAS NO.7440-67-7) is used in weapons such as the BLU-97/B Combined Effects Bomb for incendiary effect. It is used as an alloying agent due to its high resistance to corrosion. It is also a component in some abrasives, such as grinding wheels and sandpaper.

Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory.

Hazard Codes of Zirconium (CAS NO.7440-67-7): F,Xi
Risk Statements: 17-15-36/37/38 
R17: Spontaneously flammable in air. 
R15: Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases. 
R36/37/38: Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
Safety Statements: 26-43-7/8-36/37/39-35-27-16 
S26: In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. 
S43: In case of fire use ... (there follows the type of fire-fighting equipment to be used.) 
S7: Keep container tightly closed. 
S8: Keep container dry. 
S36/37/39: Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection. 
S27: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. 
S16: Keep away from sources of ignition.
RIDADR: UN 2858 4.1/PG 3
WGK Germany: 2
RTECS: ZH7070000
F: 10
HazardClass: 4.2
PackingGroup: III
A very dangerous fire hazard in the form of dust when exposed to heat or flame or by chemical reaction with oxidizers. May ignite spontaneously. A dangerous explosion hazard in the form of dust by chemical reaction with air, alkali hydroxides, alkali metal chromates, dichromates, molybdates, sulfates, tungstates, borax, CCl₄, CuO, Pb, PbO, P, KClO₃, KNO₃, nitrylfluoride. Explosive range: 0.16 g/L in air. To fight fire, use special mixtures, dry chemical, salt, or dry sand. See also ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS.

OSHA PEL: TWA 5 mg(Zr)/m³; STEL 10 mg(Zr)/m³; Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen
ACGIH TLV: TWA 5 mg(Zr)/m³; STEL 10 mg(Zr)/m³; Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen
DFG MAK: 1 mg(Zr)/m³
DOT Classification:  4.1; Label: Flammable Solid (UN 2858, UN 1358); DOT Class: 4.2; Label: Spontaneously Combustible (UN 2008, UN 2009, UN 1932)

For occupational chemical analysis use NIOSH: Elements (ICP), 7300.

Handling: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Avoid ingestion and inhalation. Wash thoroughly after handling. Wash hands before eating. Keep container tightly closed. Use with adequate ventilation. Minimize dust generation and accumulation.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances. Store in a tightly closed container.