Hafnium (Lat. Hafnium) is less abundant than gold and platinum. It is renowned for its corrosion resistance, high melting point, and ability to absorb substantial quantities of radiation. Hafnium is a highly effective conductor of both heat and electricity, with a melting point of 2,227°C and a boiling point of 4,603°C.
Hafnium (chemical symbol Hf) is employed in the manufacture of control rods for nuclear power reactors due to its capacity to absorb significant quantities of radiation. Incorporating hafnium particles into various metal alloys has been shown to enhance the corrosion resistance of the resulting composites. The combination of hafnium and titanium is a popular choice in the manufacture of devices used in the aerospace industry.
Due to its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility with the human body, hafnium is used in the production of a variety of surgical implants and prostheses. Additionally, minute quantities of this element are employed in the fabrication of electronic components, including capacitors and transistors. However, the quantity of hafnium used in these applications is so small that the retail processing of electronic products to extract this specific metal would be exceptionally unprofitable.
Sources:
https://strategicmetalsinvest.com/hafnium-prices/
https://www.britannica.com/science/hafnium
