ZIRCON 



f/jex."* More than half of the zircon is used in its mineral form; the remainder is used to produce 

 zirconium metal, alloys, and compounds. Refractories constitute the principal use of zircon. Other uses 

 are in chemically resistant ware, enamels, pigments, electrical insulators and resistors, glazes, glass poUsh, 

 heat transfer pebbles, porcelains, and abrasives. 



The physical properties of zirconium have led to its extensive use in nuclear reactors. The 

 powerplants of a number of naval vessels contain zirconium. The corrosive resistance of zirconium makes 

 it suitable for many applications in the chemical industry. Numerous zirconium alloy systems have been 

 developed. 



Possible substitute materials.^ ^ Alumina may be substituted for zircon as a mold aggregate but is 

 more expensive. SUica and oUvine can be used in some cases as substitutes in refractory apphcations. 

 Titanium oxide and tin oxide may be substituted as opacifiers in ceramic glasses and enamels. 



Stainless steel is an alternate for zirconium metal in nuclear structural applications, white aluminum, 

 columbium, and vanadium may be used in place of zirconium for fuel containers. Stainless steel and 

 titanium are substituted for zirconium in many corrosion-resistant industrial applications. In ferrous 

 metal apphcations, manganese, vanadium, and several other elements may be substituted as deoxidants. 



Present levels of utilization of zircon in thousands of short tons. 



World (1966 production) 400,000 



United States (1966 demand) 100,000 



Ranges of demand projections to the year 2000. 



Prospective supplies and prices. Zircon is now recovered only as a co-product, or by-product, of heavy 

 minerals. Domestic and world resources can satisfy the foreseeable demand, but at current prices supply 

 will depend on other heavy mineral production. Large quantities now being discarded could be recovered 

 from other mining operations. 



Prices quoted for zircon, $45-55 per short ton for bulk shipment f.o.b. mine or bagged c.i.f. Atlantic 

 ports, are largely nominal and are allied closely with prices and production of other heavy minerals of 

 placer deposits, particularly rutile. Small lots of zircon for specialty uses sell for $80-$ 100 per short ton. 



If the price of rutile were lowered substantially, producers of heavy minerals might increase the price 

 of zircon proportionately in order to stay in business. 



54 



Summarized from D. E. Eilertson, "Zirconium," in Mineral Facts and Problems, Bureau of Mines Bull. No. 630, 

 1965. 



^^Ibid. 



VII-162 



