Zirconium carbide

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Zirconium carbide
Image:Zirconium(IV) carbide.jpg
Other names	zirconium(IV) carbide
Identifiers
CAS number	[12070-14-3]
Properties
Molecular formula	ZrC
Molar mass	103.235 g/mol
Appearance	gray refractory solid
Density	6.73 g/cm3, solid
Melting point	3532°C
Boiling point	5100°C
Solubility in water	Soluble
Structure
Crystal structure	cubic
Hazards
EU classification	not listed
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Zirconium carbide (ZrC) is an extremely hard refractory ceramic material, commercially used in tool bits for cutting tools. It is usually processed by sintering. It has the appearance of a gray metallic powder with cubic crystal structure. It is highly corrosion resistant.

Zirconium carbide reacts with water and acids and is pyrophoric.

Mixture of zirconium carbide and tantalum carbide is an important cermet material.

Hafnium-free zirconium carbide and niobium carbide can be used as refractory coatings in nuclear reactors. Zirconium carbide is used extensively as 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 is also used as an abrasive, in metal cladding, in cermets, incandescent filaments and cutting tools.

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