A metallic element, symbol Zr, atomic number
40, relative atomic mass 91.22. It is used in
highly corrosion-resistant ceramic oxide
coatings in, for example, chemical plant, and
also in nuclear plant where its low neutron
absorption is advantageous. In steelmaking it
is used as a deoxidizer. It was isolated by
Jons Jakob Berzelius in 1824.