RAYCHIN LIMITED

Zirconium Washers – Comprehensive Product Range

Critical Applications of Zirconium Washers

International Standards & Global Designations – Zirconium Washers

RAYCHIN LIMITED manufactures zirconium washers 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 washers are produced from vacuum arc remelted (VAR) or electron beam melted material conforming to the limits of applicable ASTM B551, 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.

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

Zirconium washers are supplied in annealed condition per applicable ASTM specifications. Data represent typical values based on ASTM B551, 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 Washers

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. For standard service in corrosive environments, zirconium washers maintain useful mechanical properties up to 400°C (752°F). In oxidizing atmospheres, zirconium forms a protective oxide layer (ZrO₂) at moderate temperatures but may oxidize above 500°C in air. Therefore, zirconium washers are typically specified for high-temperature applications in vacuum, inert gas, or reducing atmospheres. Thermophysical property data for molten zirconium is available for temperatures up to 2750K (2477°C), confirming its stability at extreme temperatures.

Elevated Temperature Capabilities

Exceptional Corrosion Resistance of Zirconium Washers

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 washers 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.
• Neutral Solutions: In neutral solutions such as sulfates, nitrates, bichromates and chlorides (except ferric and cupric chloride), zirconium is also perfectly resistant.
• Alkali Resistance: In highly concentrated alkalis, zirconium exhibits higher resistance than titanium.
• 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. 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).
• 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 Washers

All zirconium washers are manufactured and tested to meet the following standards:

We offer surface finishes: plain (as-rolled), passivated, or electropolished. Controlled annealing processes per ASTM specifications ensure consistent mechanical properties. Precision stamping, laser cutting, and CNC machining for accurate washer geometry with controlled flatness and parallelism per ASME B18.22.1, ISO 7089, and DIN 125 standards. Thickness tolerances as tight as ±0.0005" for precision shims. 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.