Facts about the Classification of the Element Hafnium
Hafnium is classified as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 - 12 of the Periodic Table. An Element classified as a Transition Metals is ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat.

Brief Facts about the Discovery and History of the Element Hafnium
Hafnium was discovered by Dirk Coster and Georg von Hevesy in 1923 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Found in zircon through X-ray spectroscope analysis in Norway. First separated from zirconium through re-crystallization of double ammonium or potassium fluorides by Jantzen and von Hevesey. Metallic Hafnium was first prepared by Anton Eduard van Arkel and Jan Hendrik deBoer. Associated with zirconium by using the Bohr theory.

Occurrence of the element Hafnium
Does not exist as a free element in nature
Obtained from zircon
Found combined in natural zirconium compounds and minerals such as alvite

Common Uses of Hafnium
Nuclear reactors
Hafnium reactor
The Hafnium bomb
Used in incandescent lamps
Tungsten filaments

The Properties of the Element Hafnium
Name of Element : Hafnium
Symbol of Element : Hf
Atomic Number of Hafnium : 72
Atomic Mass: 178.49 amu
Melting Point: 2150.0 °C - 2423.15 °K
Boiling Point: 5400.0 °C - 5673.15 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons in Hafnium : 72
Number of Neutrons in Hafnium : 106
Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
Density @ 293 K: 13.2 g/cm3
Color of Hafnium : silvery