Zirconium is mainly tetravalent metallic element with steel gray, strong ductility and slightly solubility. It is widely existing in zircon and baddeleyite in the form of compounds. It is used in the atomic energy industry and in the high temperature and high pressure, it is used as corrosion resistant chemical materials, etc. The corrosion resistance of zirconium is better than that of titanium and is close to the niobium and tantalum. The chemical properties of zirconium and hafnium are similar. The content of zirconium in the earth's crust ranks nineteenth, which is nearly equal to that of chromium. Zirconium minerals with industrial value in nature are mainly zircon and baddeleyite.

Zirconium is a kind of rare metal, which has amazing corrosion resistance, high melting point, high hardness and strength and other characteristics, it is widely used in aerospace, military, nuclear reactions, atomic energy fields. The melting point of the zirconium is more than 1800 degrees, the melting point of zirconium dioxide is more than 2700 degrees, so as aerospace materials, the performance of zirconium is greatly superior to titanium in various aspects.

Nearly all of the zirconium is used as a package of uranium fuel elements in a nuclear reactor. It is also used in the manufacture of photographic flash, and the corrosion resistant containers and pipes, especially the corrosion resistance to hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. Zirconium chemicals can be used as crosslinking agent for polymers.