Zirconium nitride can be prepared by passing zirconium dioxide powder and metallic magnesium through helium gas.
Mohs hardness 8+.
Slightly soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid and sulfuric
acid; soluble in concentrated acids.
Yellow solid. Transition
temperature 9 K. Corrosion
resistant to steel, basic slag, and
cryolithe and molten metals
such as Al, Pb, Mg, Zn, Cd, and
Bi. Corroded by molten Be, Na,
Rb, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Sn, Ni, Cu, Fe,
and Co. Soluble in concentrated
HF, slowly soluble in hot H2 SO4.
Special crucibles, cermets, refractories.
Zirconium nitride is used in cermets, refractories, and laboratory crucibles. It also used for coating medical devices.
Zirconium nitride (ZrN) is a hard ceramic material similar to TiN. It is commonly used for coating medical devices, industrial parts (e.g., notably drill bits), automotive and aerospace components and other parts subject to high wear and corrosive environments. ZrN is light gold in color, similar to elemental gold. Hafnium nitride (HfN) is one of the refractory metallic compounds having a melting point of 3310°C.
