noun
- A hard, silvery metallic chemical element with atomic number 72, used in nuclear reactor control rods and high-temperature alloys.
Usage: chemistry; uncountable
Examples
- Hafnium is a transition metal found in zirconium ores.
- The reactor's control rods contain hafnium because of its ability to absorb neutrons.
- Scientists discovered hafnium in 1923 and named it after Copenhagen, the Latin name being Hafnia.
- Hafnium alloys are used in aerospace applications due to their high melting point.
- The chemical symbol for hafnium is Hf.