RAYCHIN LIMITED

Zirconium Pan Head Screws – Design & Configurations

Critical Applications of Zirconium Pan Head Screws

International Standards & Global Designations – Zirconium Pan Head Screws

RAYCHIN LIMITED manufactures zirconium pan head screws from vacuum arc remelted (VAR) or electron beam melted material conforming to the most widely used national and international specifications. All material is traceable to the mill with complete certifications.

Chemical Composition (Weight %) – Zirconium Alloys

Our zirconium pan head screws are produced from vacuum arc remelted (VAR) or electron beam melted material conforming to the limits of applicable ASTM B493 and B550 standards.

Zirconium 702 (UNS R60702) – Commercially Pure

Zirconium 705 (UNS R60705) – Zr-2.5%Nb Alloy

Metallurgical note: Zirconium is a refractory metal with a hexagonal close-packed crystal structure at room temperature. It exhibits exceptional corrosion resistance due to the formation of a stable, adherent, and self-healing oxide layer (ZrO₂) that provides protection in the most aggressive acidic environments. Zirconium is virtually immune to attack by hydrochloric acid at all concentrations up to boiling, outperforming all other engineering metals with the exception of tantalum. In sulfuric acid, zirconium is resistant to concentrations up to 70% at temperatures well above boiling. It also exhibits excellent resistance to nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and most organic acids. Zirconium has the lowest thermal neutron absorption cross-section of all common structural metals (0.18 barns), making it the material of choice for nuclear reactor core components. The addition of 2-3% niobium in Zr 705 provides solid solution strengthening, increasing tensile strength by approximately 50% while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance. The apparent deformation activation energy of pure zirconium is 209 kJ mol⁻¹, indicating that cross-slip of dominant dislocation mechanisms controls the deformation process.

Complete Mechanical & Physical Properties – Zirconium Alloys (MPa / ksi)

Zirconium pan head screws are supplied in annealed condition per applicable ASTM specifications. Data represent typical values based on ASTM B493 and B550 standards.

Mechanical Properties – Zirconium Alloys (Annealed Condition)

Physical Properties – Zirconium Alloys

High-Temperature Mechanical Properties – Zr 705

Maximum continuous service temperature in corrosive environments: 400°C (752°F). Zirconium begins to oxidize rapidly above 500°C in air.

High‑Temperature Performance of Zirconium Pan Head Screws

Zirconium is a refractory metal with excellent high-temperature strength and stability in vacuum or inert atmospheres. During hypothetical loss-of-coolant accident scenarios in nuclear reactors, zirconium alloy fuel claddings are exposed to steam at high temperatures up to 1200°C. The αZr(O) phase containing up to 7 wt.% oxygen shows substantial strengthening and embrittlement at these temperatures. For standard service in corrosive environments, zirconium pan head screws maintain useful mechanical properties up to 400°C (752°F). The apparent deformation activation energy of pure zirconium is 209 kJ mol⁻¹, indicating that cross-slip of dominant dislocation mechanisms controls the deformation process at elevated temperatures. Optimum processing conditions for zirconium are 700-900°C at 0.1-0.14 s⁻¹ and 905-950°C at 3-20 s⁻¹, with dynamic recrystallization occurring in these safe domains. In oxidizing atmospheres, zirconium forms a protective oxide layer (ZrO₂) at moderate temperatures but may oxidize above 500°C in air. Therefore, zirconium pan head screws are typically specified for high-temperature applications in vacuum, inert gas, or reducing atmospheres.

Elevated Temperature Capabilities

Exceptional Corrosion Resistance of Zirconium Pan Head Screws

Zirconium is renowned for its outstanding corrosion resistance, often outperforming all other engineering metals in aggressive acidic environments. The material forms a stable, adherent, and self-healing oxide layer (ZrO₂) that provides protection against a wide range of corrosive media.

Corrosion Resistance to Common Media

• Hydrochloric Acid: Zirconium pan head screws exhibit corrosion rates less than 5 mpy (0.13 mm/year) at all concentrations and temperatures in excess of boiling point. In 37% HCl, zirconium does not begin to show substantial corrosion until 130°C (266°F). This performance is unmatched by any other engineering metal with the exception of tantalum. In 10% HCl at boiling point, Hastelloy C276 experiences 288 mpy corrosion while zirconium exhibits nil corrosion even when aerated.
• Sulfuric Acid: Excellent resistance to sulfuric acid up to 70% concentration at temperatures well above boiling. Outperforms Alloy 20 and C-276 in sulfuric acid service.
• Nitric Acid: Zirconium can be used in all concentrations of nitric acid up to 90% and temperatures up to 200°C – comparable to tantalum and superior to most stainless steels.
• Organic Acids: Excellent resistance to acetic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, and other organic acids at all concentrations up to boiling. Zirconium is considered one of the most corrosion-resistant materials in virtually all acetic acid solutions.
• Seawater Resistance: Zirconium offers superior resistance to seawater corrosion, making it ideal for marine and desalination applications.
• Limitations: Zirconium is rapidly attacked by hydrofluoric acid, ferric chloride, cupric chloride, and other oxidizing halides. Even small amounts of oxidizing media will greatly decrease its corrosion resistance. Process control of upstream contaminants is critical for maintaining corrosion resistance. Use in the presence of fluoride ions is not recommended, even at low concentrations. Wet chlorine gas and chlorine water cause corrosion (unlike titanium, which is resistant).
• Alkali Resistance: In highly concentrated alkalis, zirconium exhibits higher resistance than titanium.
• Galvanic Corrosion: Zirconium is noble and can be safely coupled with most metals, but may accelerate corrosion of less noble materials.
• Nuclear Properties: Zirconium's low thermal neutron absorption cross-section (0.18 barns) makes it ideal for nuclear reactor applications.

Manufacturing Standards – Zirconium Pan Head Screws

All zirconium pan head screws are manufactured and tested to meet the following standards:

We offer surface finishes: plain (as-machined), passivated, or electropolished. Controlled annealing processes per ASTM specifications ensure consistent mechanical properties. Specialized CNC machining and thread rolling for accurate pan head geometry with precision Phillips or slotted drives per ISO 7045. Thread fit 6g (metric) or 2A (inch). 100% inspection available including dimensional inspection, hardness testing, density verification, and non-destructive examination. Full traceability and material test reports (MTR) with mill certifications available per EN 10204 3.1. AS9100 and ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management. ISO 13485 certified for medical applications with cleanroom packaging available. Build-to-print specials to customer specifications are available.