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Hafnium

Named in honour of the city of Copenhagen (Latin, Hafnia) where the element's discovery was confirmed, hafnium is the 72 ^nd element of the periodic table. This silvery, ductile metal is found embedded in zirconium minerals, and the degree of zirconium impurity influences hafnium's properties. Such close association with zirconium makes these two metals difficult to separate.

Hafnium has applications in the nuclear industry. This metal not only absorbs thermal neutrons, but also, hafnium has stellar mechanical properties and powerful corrosion resistance. These characteristics are ideal for nuclear reactor control rods in nuclear submarines.

Hafnium's high melting point provides practical applications, including use in gas-filled and incandescent lamps. Hafnium alloys with iron, titanium, niobium, and various other metals.