Zircon's hardness makes it useful as an abrasive and it has a high melting point (over
2500°C), so it is used in the steel industry, to line furnaces. Zircon contains the metals
zirconium and hafnium. Zirconium is extremely hard and resistant to corrosion so is used to
make pipes for harsh chemicals, nuclear reactor cladding, heat exchangers and speciality
alloys. Zirconium is found in computer disc drives, in lightweight clothing and in many
domestic products such as ballpoint pens and wear-resistant knives. Hafnium is used in
nuclear control rods and super alloys. Zircon products are also used in engines, electronics,
spacecraft and the ceramics industry.
Zircon is mainly consumed as an opacifier, and has been known to be used in the
decorative ceramics industry.[19] It is also the principal precursor not only to
metallic zirconium, although this application is small, but also to all compounds of zirconium
including zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), an important refractory oxide with a melting point of
2,717 °C (4,923 °F)
