Since 1975, the Australian scholar K.C.Ganvil first proposed the new concept of using the volume effect produced by the phase transformation of zirconia ZrO2 to achieve a new concept of toughening ceramics, the research on zirconia has become very active. Especially in 1983 Tosoh's first successful industrialization of nanocomposite zirconia, due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, countries have increased investment in research and development of nanocomposite zirconia series products, and its application has gradually expanded to structural materials. , functional materials and other fields, is currently widely used in various industries.
(1)Development status and trend of global zirconium industry
Zircon sand is mainly produced in Australia, South Africa, the United States and other places, and zircon sand is also produced in Hainan Province, Guangdong Province and other places in China. According to the 2009 International Zirconium Industry Conference, in terms of supply of zircon sand, Australia and South Africa account for 91% of global exports, and in terms of demand, China is the largest consumer.
Developed countries are basically not involved in the production and processing of primary zirconium products. 90% of zirconium oxychloride is produced and processed in China, of which more than 85% are exported, mainly to the United States, Japan, followed by Europe, for ceramics, zirconia products and nuclear-grade sponges Production of zirconium.
From 2003 to 2008, the annual growth rate of the global zirconium industry reached 9.3%. In 2009, due to the financial crisis, the market demand for zirconia industry shrank sharply. .
(2)The development status and trend of China's zirconium industry
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the demand for infrastructure, real estate and home decoration industries has continued to be strong, resulting in a sharp rise in the use of zirconium products in the ceramic industry. The main upstream materials consumed in the ceramic industry are zirconium oxychloride and zirconium silicate. In addition, with the acceleration of the consumption upgrading process of Chinese residents, zirconium-containing special ceramics occupy an important position in the application of materials in high-tech fields such as fuel cells, advanced special ceramics, optical communication devices, and oxidation sensors. Its superior physical properties have been vigorously promoted in civil fields such as knives and watches. In addition, it has been widely used in the production of valves, oil drilling cylinder liners and other components as an important new material in the industrial field. .
Since 2003, with the increasing demand for zirconium products, the production capacity of my country's zirconium industry has expanded significantly. After the financial crisis in 2009, the demand for zirconium products has dropped sharply. Two factors have caused the zirconium industry market to be in a downturn. Since 2010, the zirconium industry has fallen into a trough. Due to the increase in domestic demand for ceramics, zirconium gemstones, automobile exhaust purification catalysts and other end-application industries, the output of zirconium oxychloride deep-processed products such as zirconium dioxide, composite zirconia, and zirconium carbonate will increase compared with 2012, which also drives oxygen The recovery of domestic demand for zirconium chloride.
(3) Strong demand for emerging zirconia products, higher profit margins
Emerging zirconia products include composite zirconia and zirconia structural ceramics. Zirconia structural ceramics refer to ceramic materials with zirconia as the main component. It not only has the advantages of high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, high strength, etc., but also has excellent thermal and electrical properties. The determinant of the performance of zirconia structural ceramics lies in its raw material - composite zirconia.
The stability of composite zirconia is improved, and the use is greatly expanded. The demand for composite zirconia is growing rapidly. High-performance composite zirconia powder is widely used in optical communication devices, sensitive ceramics, solid fuel cells, cutting tools, advanced refractories and other special ceramics and new material industries. Emerging zirconia products have a short development history, strong demand and high profit margins.
(4)The development of nuclear power field promotes the development of production technology of nuclear-grade sponge zirconium and hafnium
At present, nuclear power accounts for 16% of the total power generation internationally, as high as 26% in developed countries, but less than 3% in my country. To this end, the state has put forward a plan to actively develop nuclear power, which provides an important development opportunity for my country's zirconium and hafnium industry, especially the research and development and production of sponge zirconium and hafnium and its processed products. There are only a handful of countries or enterprises in the world that can truly realize the industrialization and large-scale production of nuclear-grade zirconium sponge. The nuclear-grade zirconium sponge required for the development of nuclear power, nuclear industry and nuclear energy in my country has long been dependent on imports. From the point of view, nuclear power still has a large space for development, which provides an important development opportunity for my country's zirconium and hafnium industry, especially the research and development and production of sponge zirconium and hafnium and its processed products.
