Hafnium - Tales from the Periodic Table

Hafnium, the 72nd element in the periodic table, is chemically and physically very similar to Zirconium, the element in the table just above it. However, Hafnium's much more expensive, so Zirconium is really the go-to element in many cases. They differ in one important aspect, which leads both elements to opposite uses in nuclear reactors. Hafnium's alloys also accompanied our astronauts all the way to the Moon.

[@greegearl1542]

This is the first study into Hafnium that I have had the pleasure to experience. Thank you! Well done.

[@ronhipschman]

My pleasure! Not surprised it's your "first study"... It was mine too!
Ron

[@rodmarker2071]

Thanks Ron

[@ronhipschman]

My pleasure!
Ron

[@sydhenderson6753]

Interesting, since you commented on Hafnium's high melting point that the next five elements have higher melting points (and some have higher boiling points as well). But Hafnium makes up for that since several of its compounds have melting points over 4000 degrees Celsius. And yes, that is a record and there are many stars in which these would still be solid. Including sunspots on the Sun (barely) but not the photosphere in general.

[@ronhipschman]

Syd,
Nice point comparing melting and boiling points to the Sun's surface temperature. I may use that!
Ron

[@guregorihattofirudo2627]

Very informative and interesting. Thank you

[@sydhenderson6753]

Hafnium was the next to last stable element to be discovered (in a sense the last because the guy who discovered 'nipponium' misidentified which element he'd discovered. It was actually rhenium.)

[@ronhipschman]

Thanks for adding that tidbit, Syd. I had found that too, but didn't put it in.
Ron

[@sydhenderson6753]

@@ronhipschman It belongs more under "rhenium" which we'll get to this fall. In between we get two really interesting metals. Hafnium probably would be a lot more useful if we could separate it more easily from zirconium. Those high melting and boiling points suggest interesting alloys.

[@brfisher1123]

Hafnium is indeed a gorgeous looking metal especially when oxidized and BTW I for one am glad that they don't have any hafnium-178m2 gamma-ray lasers or "grasers" because of the horrific health effects the ¹⁷⁸ᵐ²Hf gamma rays from the laser would have if someone was to use a ¹⁷⁸ᵐ²Hf laser as a weapon!

[@ronhipschman]

I think this is just a "conceptual" weapon. Besides, it doesn't seem possible given the lack of confirmation and cost of producing the isotope.
Ron

[@sillysad3198]

if you start with 2 atoms,
there is 1/4 chance, you end up with 2 atoms after 1 halflife.

[@ronhipschman]

I didn't want to complicate things...
Ron