Hafnium has a strong ability to capture the neutron, making it an excellent material for control rods in nuclear reactors. The nuclear industry roughly consumes half of the Hf produced every year. Hafnium is also used as an additive to alloys. Recently, scientists at Intel and IBM found hafnium-based compounds can be applied in gate insulators to make the processors smaller. Hafnium wires and other Hf parts are also used in plasma cutting because of their ability to shed electrons into the air. Cut hafnium wire could be inserted into copper parts to make a cutting tip for the plasma cutter.
Hafnium Wire Properties
Name
Hafnium wire
Purity
Hf+Zr > 99.98%, Zr < 3%
Density
13.3 g/cm3
Appearance
Silver metal
Melting Point
2227 C
Hafnium Wire Specifications
Diameter: 0.03''- 0.24'' (0.8 mm to 6.0 mm)
It can be straight, in coils, or on spools
Hafnium Wire Applications
Plasma Cutting: Hafnium wire is used as an electrode material in plasma cutting systems due to its high melting point and heat resistance. These properties make it ideal for generating high-energy plasma arcs, enabling precise cutting of various materials.
Aerospace: Hafnium wire finds application in the aerospace industry. It is used in high-temperature environments, such as rocket engine nozzles and other components that require excellent thermal stability and durability.
Nuclear Industry: Hafnium wire is extensively used in control rods for nuclear reactors due to its high neutron absorption cross-section.