Zirconium?

erik markman

erik markman

Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
1,352
I see a lot of zirconium guards and fittings lately.
What are the pros and cons for that material?
I have no idea what it actually is.
 
I can't tell you allot about it but it is pretty much just another metal on the periodic table
 
Similar to titanium, hexagonal crystal structure ,light weight, some use in body parts.
 
Eric, Pro's it is fairly easy to machine. Looks really nice when finished after polishing / heat darkening.

Con, Rather expensive. White hot sparks when grinding. The swarf will catch on fire real easy. Hard to put out. I just go real slow and low belt speed when grinding to shape. Also clean thoroughly up after.


Hope that helps.

Bing
 
bbingenheimer said:
Eric, Pro's it is fairly easy to machine. Looks really nice when finished after polishing / heat darkening.

Con, Rather expensive. White hot sparks when grinding. The swarf will catch on fire real easy. Hard to put out. I just go real slow and low belt speed when grinding to shape. Also clean thoroughly up after.


Hope that helps.

Bing
Click to expand...

How do you go about polishing Zr? Do you heat blacken it after it's fully polished?
 
Daniel,
How do you go about polishing Zr? Do you heat blacken it after it's fully polished?
Click to expand...

I like to sand out to 2000 grit and buff with loose buff / Pink compound before heat. Make sure all compound is cleaned off before heat. (any contamination will show up after heat coloring) I like to use windex to clean. Dry-off and heat.

Bing
 
Zirconium is rather soft.. much softer than Pure Ti. It won't be the best choice for any part that might receive shocks/stress.

Good news is you can heat anodized and give it black oxide which very scratch resistance yet beautiful.
 
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