Zirconium tetrachloride, commonly written as ZrCl4, is an anhydrous zirconium halide used primarily as a chemical intermediate and precursor. I supply it to industrial buyers who need zirconium for metal production, zirconia manufacturing, advanced ceramics, catalysts, coatings, and research applications. Its key commercial value comes from its high zirconium content and its ability to react or transform into other zirconium compounds under controlled conditions.
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Zirconium tetrachloride is typically handled as a white to off-white crystalline solid, although appearance can vary with grade, packaging, and exposure history. It is moisture sensitive and hydrolyzes readily in contact with water or humid air, producing corrosive hydrogen chloride and hydrolyzed zirconium species. For this reason, buyers should evaluate not only chemical purity but also moisture control, packaging integrity, documentation, and transportation requirements.
Zirconium tetrachloride is an inorganic compound composed of one zirconium atom and four chlorine atoms. Its chemical formula is ZrCl4, and its CAS Registry Number is 10026-11-6. The compound has a molecular weight of approximately 233.04 g/mol and is generally supplied in anhydrous form when it is intended for metal, ceramic, or high-purity chemical processing.
At room temperature, ZrCl4 is a solid. Published reference data commonly place its melting point near 437 °C, while it can volatilize or sublime at elevated temperature; the exact behavior depends on pressure, purity, and equipment conditions. Because its physical state changes under process heat, industrial users should confirm furnace design, transfer methods, and containment compatibility before scaling production.
One of the most important functions of zirconium tetrachloride is serving as an intermediate in the production of zirconium metal. In the Kroll process, zirconium tetrachloride is reduced with magnesium to produce zirconium sponge, followed by separation and further consolidation. The efficiency of this route depends on the feedstock quality, impurity profile, reduction conditions, and downstream purification controls.
ZrCl4 is also used to prepare other zirconium chemicals, including zirconium oxychloride, zirconia-related intermediates, and specialized zirconium complexes. Hydrolysis and controlled reaction with oxygen-containing compounds can be used to generate materials for ceramics, catalysts, pigments, and surface treatments. The appropriate process route depends on the required particle characteristics, residual chloride limit, and final application.
In laboratory and specialty chemical work, zirconium tetrachloride can act as a Lewis acid or zirconium source in synthesis. It has been investigated and used in catalytic and organometallic chemistry, although the suitability of a specific grade depends on reaction sensitivity and moisture tolerance. I recommend confirming compatibility at laboratory scale before committing to larger-volume procurement.
Zirconium metal is valued in applications where corrosion resistance and controlled neutron absorption are important. Zirconium tetrachloride may therefore enter supply chains connected with zirconium sponge, zirconium alloys, and other high-performance metal products. Buyers in this area normally require strict control of hafnium and other metallic impurities, because the acceptable limits depend strongly on the intended alloy and end use.
Zirconium-based ceramics are used in thermal, mechanical, electrical, and chemical environments. ZrCl4 can serve as a zirconium precursor for zirconia and zirconium-containing ceramic systems, especially where controlled chemical conversion is preferred. Final ceramic performance is influenced by more than precursor purity, including calcination temperature, stabilizer selection, particle size, and sintering conditions.
Volatile zirconium chloride chemistry can be relevant to vapor-phase deposition and other surface-engineering processes. Zirconium-containing coatings may be developed for wear resistance, thermal protection, chemical resistance, or specialized electronic and optical functions. Process developers should assess vapor delivery, reactor compatibility, chlorine management, and the effect of moisture on coating uniformity.
Zirconium tetrachloride is used in selected catalyst systems and synthetic chemistry as a reactive zirconium source. Its strong response to water can be useful in controlled transformations but creates additional handling requirements. In these applications, the buyer should define acceptable trace metals, water content, particle form, packaging atmosphere, and batch-to-batch consistency.
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For B2B purchasing, I suggest reviewing the specification as a complete package rather than selecting solely by the stated purity. Important parameters may include ZrCl4 assay, moisture or hydrolysis-related impurities, iron, silicon, aluminum, titanium, hafnium, magnesium, and other trace metals. The required limits should be connected to the buyer’s process, because a specification suitable for general chemical synthesis may not be appropriate for metal or advanced-material production.
| Parameter | Typical reference or purchasing consideration | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical formula | ZrCl4 | Confirms the intended zirconium chloride compound |
| CAS number | 10026-11-6 | Supports identification in purchasing and regulatory documents |
| Molecular weight | Approximately 233.04 g/mol | Useful for stoichiometric calculations and solution preparation |
| Physical form | White to off-white crystalline solid | Helps assess handling and visual quality at receipt |
| Thermal behavior | Melting point commonly reported near 437 °C | Supports process and equipment planning |
These reference values should not replace a current product specification or certificate of analysis. Different manufacturers may offer different purity grades, particle sizes, packaging formats, and analytical methods. I can help buyers match the requested specification to the actual process rather than treating a generic data sheet as a universal standard.
Zirconium tetrachloride is moisture sensitive and should be protected from water, condensation, and humid air. Contact with moisture can generate hydrogen chloride, heat, and hydrolysis products, so the material should be handled according to the current safety data sheet and the buyer’s site risk assessment. Suitable ventilation, dry transfer procedures, compatible personal protective equipment, and emergency controls are important parts of the operating plan.
Packaging should provide an effective moisture barrier and remain sealed until the material is ready for use. Storage conditions should be dry, temperature controlled where required, and separated from incompatible materials, especially water-reactive substances and sources of moisture. I recommend that buyers define opening, resealing, sampling, and residual-material procedures before receiving the first shipment.
Start by identifying the final use: zirconium metal, zirconia, coating deposition, catalyst preparation, or laboratory synthesis. Each application may require a different balance of assay, moisture, trace metals, particle form, and packaging. A technically suitable grade can reduce process adjustments, but the correct choice must be confirmed against the buyer’s own qualification requirements.
Request a product specification, safety data sheet, certificate of analysis format, packaging description, and lot identification procedure before issuing a purchase order. Buyers should also ask which test methods are used for assay and impurity measurement, because analytical methodology affects how results are interpreted. When the material is used in a regulated or safety-critical process, the supplier’s documentation process should be reviewed by the buyer’s quality team.
Because moisture exposure can affect product condition, packaging and transport planning are as important as the chemical name. Confirm package size, inner barrier, sealing method, labeling, dangerous-goods arrangements where applicable, and expected lead time. I also recommend discussing minimum order quantity, sample availability, repeat-order planning, and communication procedures for nonconforming material.
At Azeal Materials, I approach zirconium tetrachloride supply as a technical sourcing project rather than a simple catalog transaction. I can discuss the intended application, required grade, impurity limits, package size, delivery destination, and documentation needs before preparing a quotation. This helps buyers avoid selecting a nominally high-purity product that does not match their process requirements.
Our support can include product information, specification alignment, sample or trial-order discussion where available, export coordination, and repeat-supply planning. Availability, lead time, packaging options, and exact analytical data should be confirmed for each order because they may vary by production batch and destination. For larger programs, I can work with the buyer to clarify forecast volumes and establish a practical procurement schedule.
Zirconium tetrachloride is the right choice when a process needs a concentrated, reactive zirconium source for metal production, ceramic manufacturing, coatings, catalysts, or chemical synthesis. Its value is closely connected to controlled purity and moisture protection, so buyers should evaluate the complete supply specification rather than the compound name alone. The most practical next step is to define the intended application, target impurity limits, package quantity, and delivery location.
Contact Azeal Materials with your required grade, estimated quantity, packaging preference, and technical documentation needs. I can then help you review the available zirconium tetrachloride option and prepare a B2B quotation based on your actual procurement requirements.
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