Zircon
Zirconium silicate, prized for extreme heat resistance
Overview
Zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral valued for exceptional thermal stability, chemical inertness and hardness. It occurs as an accessory mineral in granite formations and is recovered alongside tin and columbite-tantalite in Nigeria’s tin belt.
Applications
Ceramics
Milled zircon produces the opacity and whiteness in ceramic glazes for tiles and sanitaryware, which is the single largest use of the mineral worldwide.
Refractories
Zircon withstands extreme temperatures without degrading, making it fundamental to furnace and kiln linings in glass and steel production.
Foundry casting
Zircon sand is used in moulds for precision metal casting, holding shape at temperatures that would collapse ordinary sand.
Zirconium metal
Zircon is the source of zirconium, used in nuclear fuel cladding for its low neutron absorption and in chemical processing equipment.
Our supply
- Availability:
- Enquire for current grades and volumes
- Origin:
- Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Documentation:
- Chain of custody provided with every consignment