Characteristic

Zirconium carbide (ZrC) is an extremely hard refractory ceramic material, commercially used in tool bits for cutting tools. It is usually processed by sintering.

Chemical formula：ZrC

Molar mass：103.235 g·mol⁻¹

Appearance：Gray refractory solid

Odor：Odorless

Density：6.73 g/cm3 (24 °C)

Melting point：3,532–3,540 °C (6,390–6,404 °F; 3,805–3,813 K)

Boiling point：5,100 °C (9,210 °F; 5,370 K)

Solubility in water：Insoluble

Solubility：Soluble in concentrated H2SO4, HF, HNO3

Crystal structure：Cubic, cF8

Application

Hafnium-free zirconium carbide and niobium carbide can be used as refractory coatings in nuclear reactors. Because of a low neutron absorption cross-section and weak damage sensitivity under irradiation, it finds use as the coating of uranium dioxide and thorium dioxide particles of nuclear fuel. The coating is usually deposited by thermal chemical vapor deposition in a fluidized bed reactor. It also has high emissivity and high current capacity at elevated temperatures rendering it as a promising material for use in thermo-photovoltaic radiators and field emitter tips and arrays.

It is also used as an abrasive, in cladding, in cermets, incandescent filaments and cutting tools.

ZrC.pdf