ZIRCONIUM HYDRIDE Property

Density 

5.47

solubility 

insoluble in H2O

form 

Powder

color 

gray tetragonal crystals, crystalline

Water Solubility 

no reaction with H2O [MER06]

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

Merck 

14,10176

CAS DataBase Reference

7704-99-6(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Zirconium hydride (ZrH2) (7704-99-6)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

F

Risk Statements 

11-36/37/38

Safety Statements 

24/25-43-7/8

RIDADR 

UN 1437 4.1/PG 2

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

ZH8015000

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

4.1

PackingGroup 

II

HS Code 

28500090

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H228Flammable solid

H315Causes skin irritation

H319Causes serious eye irritation

H335May cause respiratory irritation

Precautionary statements

P210Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking.

P302+P352IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water.

P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.

ZIRCONIUM HYDRIDE Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

Gray-black metallic powder. Stable toward air and water.

Physical properties

Grayish-black powder; density 5.60 g/cm³; stable in water; soluble in dilute hydrofluoric acid; soluble in concentrated acids.

Uses

Zirconium Hydride, ZrH2, is a brittle, metallicgray solid that is stable in air and water, and has a density of 5.6 g/cm3. The chemical properties of ZrH2 closely resemble those of titanium hydride. Commercial uses are as a getter in the manufacture of vacuum tubes and other systems; as a hydrogen source for foaming metals; as a hydrogen reservoir; for the introduction of zirconium into powdered alloys; for metal–ceramic and metal–metal bonding; as a moderator in nuclear reactors; and as a source of Zr metal powder and alloys.

Uses

Zirconium(II) hydride (ZrH₂) can be used as a precursor for:

• ?Reactive hot-pressing synthesis of Zr₂SC ceramics by displacement reaction with the mixture of ZrC and ZrS₂.,·?
• ?The synthesis of Mg-Zr hydrides by treating with MgH₂ for hydrogen storage.???????
• The preparation of layer structured β-zirconium nitride chloride (ZrNCl) by reacting with NH₄Cl.

Uses

Zirconium hydride is a powerful reducing agent in acid solution or at high temperatures; hydrogenation catalyst; in the vacuum tube industry.Also, it is used as a source of pure hydrogen and a catalyst in hydrogenation reactions. Some other applications are in powder metallurgy; as a moderator in nuclear reactors; and as a metal-foaming agent

Definition

Contains 1.7–2.1% combined hydrogen which can be driven off in a vacuum above 600C.

Preparation

Zirconium hydride may be prepared by heating zirconium oxide with magnesium in the presence of hydrogen: ZrO₂ + 2Mg + H₂ → ZrH₂ + 2MgO
Alternatively, hydride may be made by heating zirconium oxide with calcium hydride in the presence of hydrogen
Hydride also may be obtained by combining zirconium metal with hydrogen at elevated temperature.

Production Methods

Zirconium hydride in powder form was produced by the reduction of zirconium oxide with calcium hydride in a bomb reactor. However, the workup was hazardous and many fires and explosions occurred when the calcium oxide was dissolved with hydrochloric acid to recover the hydride powder. With the ready availability of zirconium metal via the Kroll process, zirconium hydride can be obtained by exothermic absorption of hydrogen by pure zirconium, usually highly porous sponge. The heat of formation is 167.4 J/mol (40 kcal/mol) hydrogen absorbed.

General Description

This product has been enhanced for energy efficiency.

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire risk, especially in the presence of oxidizers.

Flammability and Explosibility

Flammable

Safety Profile

A powerful reducing agent. Flammable when dry or wet. Very dangerous to handle; can explode. Incandesces when heated in air. See also HYDRIDES and ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS.