Hafnium

Hafnium occurs alongside zirconium and only becomes available when zirconium is purified for nuclear use, so supply is small and follows the zirconium cycle rather than demand. It goes into nickel superalloys for turbine blades and vanes, plasma-cutting electrodes and nuclear control rods.

Hafnium is supplied by both desks, US and EU: crystal bar, sponge, solids, revert and turnings, and hafnium-bearing superalloy scrap. Zirconium and oxygen content are confirmed by assay before shipment.