🧪 Zirconium 702 Plate & Sheet — UNS R60702

Zirconium 702 Plate is a commercially pure zirconium flat product engineered for chemical-processing environments where corrosion resistance, equipment reliability, fabricability, and long service life are more important than simply selecting the lowest-cost structural metal.

Zirconium Grade 702, also identified as UNS R60702, is widely used to fabricate reactors, vessels, heat exchangers, evaporators, condensers, columns, liners, and other process equipment exposed to aggressive chemical media.

NiTiCu supplies Zirconium 702 Plate and Zirconium 702 Sheet according to ASTM B551/B551M requirements or customer specifications. Thickness, width, length, surface condition, dimensional tolerance, heat-treatment condition, and further fabrication requirements can be reviewed according to the final equipment design.

UNS R60702 · ASTM B551/B551M · Chemical Processing · Acid Service · Custom Plate & Sheet

Unlike a general structural plate, the value of Zirconium 702 comes primarily from its performance in carefully selected corrosive environments.

📋 Engineering Snapshot

Parameter	Typical Supply	Engineering Note
Product	Zirconium 702 Plate / Sheet	Custom dimensions
Grade	Zirconium 702	Commercially pure zirconium
UNS	R60702	Traceable by heat / lot
Standard	ASTM B551/B551M	Plate, sheet and strip
Condition	Annealed / as specified	Project dependent
Density	Approx. 6.51 g/cm³	Reference value
Melting Point	Approx. 1855°C	Reference value
Thickness	Custom	Subject to manufacturing range
Width × Length	Custom	Cut to requirement
Surface	Pickled / Ground / Machined / Custom	As agreed
Flatness	Standard or drawing-specific	Confirm before production
Processing	Cutting / Forming / Machining	Project dependent
Documents	MTC / COA / EN 10204 3.1	As required

For specification-controlled projects, Zirconium 702 Plate should be ordered using the grade, standard, condition, dimensions, tolerances, and certification requirements rather than simply stating “pure zirconium plate.”

🧬 Material Identity — Grade 702 / UNS R60702

Zirconium 702 is an unalloyed commercial zirconium grade.

A key characteristic is that zirconium and hafnium naturally occur together. Unlike nuclear-grade zirconium, commercial Grade 702 does not require the extremely low hafnium levels necessary for neutron-sensitive reactor applications.

Typical ASTM-oriented chemistry includes:

Element	Typical Specification Direction
Zr + Hf	≥ 99.2%
Hf	Controlled, up to commercial Grade 702 limit
Fe + Cr	Limited
O	Controlled interstitial element
N / H / C	Restricted according to specification
Other Elements	According to ASTM B551 / purchase specification

The actual chemistry should always be verified using the material certificate supplied with the production lot.

An UNS R60702 Plate should not be presented as interchangeable with nuclear-grade zirconium simply because both materials are zirconium based.

This distinction is important for technically responsible material selection.

🛡️ Why Zirconium 702 Is Selected for Chemical Equipment

The strongest commercial reason to use Zirconium 702 Plate is corrosion resistance.

Zirconium forms a tightly adherent protective oxide film on its surface. In suitable chemical environments, this passive layer gives the material excellent resistance and can make zirconium attractive when conventional stainless steels, titanium, or some nickel alloys face difficult corrosion conditions.

Its most valuable characteristics for process equipment include:

Corrosion Resistance · Fabricability · Weldability · Low Contamination · Long Equipment Life

However, zirconium should never be described as universally corrosion-proof.

The real corrosion rate depends on:

Chemical Species · Concentration · Temperature · Impurities · Pressure · Flow · Crevice Conditions

For this reason, a Zr 702 Plate selection should always be connected to the actual process environment.

🧪 Acid Service — Where Zirconium 702 Becomes Valuable

Acid-handling equipment is one of the most important markets for zirconium flat products.

Hydrochloric Acid

Zirconium is well known for strong performance in many hydrochloric-acid environments.

This can make Zirconium 702 Plate useful for:

Reactors · Vessels · Heat Exchangers · Piping Components · Liners

The final suitability still depends on concentration, temperature, contamination, and other process variables.

Acetic Acid & Organic Acids

Zirconium is also used extensively in organic-acid processing.

Typical environments may include:

Acetic Acid · Acetic Anhydride · Formic Acid · Lactic Acid · Citric Acid

This is one reason Zirconium 702 Sheet is attractive for chemical equipment that must combine corrosion resistance with forming and welding.

Sulfuric & Nitric Acid Systems

Zirconium can perform well in selected sulfuric- and nitric-acid conditions, but performance is strongly dependent on concentration and temperature.

These environments should therefore be evaluated as actual process conditions rather than reduced to a simple statement such as:

“Zirconium resists sulfuric acid.”

That would be too broad for an engineering product page.

⚠️ A Critical Limitation — Fluoride Service

One of the most important corrosion warnings for zirconium is fluoride-containing media.

Although Zirconium 702 Plate performs extremely well in many aggressive acids, hydrofluoric acid and fluoride-containing solutions can attack the protective oxide film.

This means:

HF · Fluoride Salts · Mixed Acids Containing Fluoride

require particular caution.

A process that appears suitable based only on its main acid may become unsuitable if fluoride contamination is present.

Chemical Compatibility Should Be Evaluated Using:

Process Data	Why It Matters
Chemical Composition	Identifies corrosive species
Concentration	Changes corrosion behavior
Temperature	Strongly influences corrosion rate
Impurities	Fluoride or halides may change compatibility
Pressure	Relevant to vessel design
Flow Velocity	Can influence erosion-corrosion
Process Phase	Liquid / vapor / mixed phase

This is particularly important when selecting ASTM B551 Zirconium Plate for high-value chemical-processing equipment.

🏭 Chemical Processing Equipment

Chemical-processing equipment should be the primary application focus of this product page.

Zirconium 702 Plate can be fabricated into a wide variety of process components where corrosion resistance is a central design requirement.

Equipment	Typical Use of Zr702
Chemical Reactor	Shells, covers, internals
Pressure Vessel	Corrosion-resistant sections
Process Tank	Wetted surfaces
Distillation Column	Shell / internal components
Drying Column	Corrosion-exposed structures
Evaporator	Process-contact components
Condenser	Corrosive-fluid handling
Baffle / Internal Plate	Vessel internals
Liner	Corrosion-resistant barrier
Custom Fabrication	Drawing-specific equipment

This is where UNS R60702 Plate should be positioned most strongly.

It is not simply a specialty metal sheet. It is a material for solving corrosion problems in high-value process equipment.

🌡️ Heat Exchangers, Condensers & Evaporators

Heat-transfer equipment is another major application for Zirconium 702 Plate and sheet.

The reason is usually not exceptional thermal conductivity.

The engineering value comes from maintaining corrosion resistance while separating two process streams and sustaining temperature gradients.

Typical applications include:

Heat Exchangers · Condensers · Reboilers · Evaporators · Process Coolers

For corrosive service, material failure in heat-transfer equipment can cause:

process contamination;
leakage between circuits;
unplanned shutdown;
difficult repair;
expensive product loss.

In such cases, Zirconium 702 Sheet may be used for formed sections, shells, liners, or other fabricated components, while heavier plate may be used where increased structural thickness is required.

📐 Plate vs. Sheet — Different Forms for Different Fabrication Routes

Select plate or sheet according to the required thickness and fabrication route.

Their practical use can differ.

Zirconium 702 Plate

Zirconium 702 Plate is typically selected for thicker sections, structural process components, machined blanks, vessel parts, and equipment requiring greater section thickness.

Potential uses include:

Machined Plates · Vessel Components · Flanges · Heavy Blanks · Structural Process Parts

Zirconium 702 Sheet

Zirconium 702 Sheet is more suitable for:

Formed Shells · Liners · Covers · Baffles · Thin Vessel Components · Fabricated Skins

The correct product form depends on:

Thickness · Forming Requirement · Welding · Structural Load · Corrosion Allowance

NiTiCu can supply both forms according to the drawing rather than forcing customers into a fixed catalog size.

🛡️ Corrosion-Resistant Linings

One of the most cost-effective ways to use zirconium can be to place the material only where the corrosive process actually contacts the equipment.

For some equipment designs, Zirconium 702 Sheet can be considered for corrosion-resistant lining or specialized clad constructions.

This approach may allow:

Structural Base Material + Zirconium Corrosion Barrier

instead of manufacturing the complete vessel from solid zirconium.

Potential lining applications include:

Tanks · Reactors · Columns · Acid-Handling Equipment · Process Vessels

The engineering details of lining, cladding, welding, transition joints, and inspection must be evaluated individually.

Zirconium lining is a design option; it is not a universal replacement for solid Zirconium 702 Plate construction.

⚙️ Forming & Fabrication

Commercially pure zirconium has useful ductility and can be fabricated into complex process equipment when appropriate procedures are used.

Possible operations include:

Fabrication Process	Project Consideration
Cutting	Mechanical / machining route
Bending	Bend radius and material condition
Rolling	Vessel and shell fabrication
Forming	Sheet / thin plate components
Machining	Finished equipment parts
Welding	Requires controlled shielding
Grinding	Surface requirement dependent
Custom Fabrication	Drawing review

A Zr 702 Plate should be handled with appropriate contamination control during fabrication.

Processes that introduce iron contamination, unsuitable abrasives, or poor cleanliness can affect the final zirconium surface.

🔥 Welding Requires Clean Shielding

Zirconium can be welded successfully, but it becomes highly reactive with atmospheric gases at elevated temperature.

This makes shielding quality extremely important.

During welding, heated zirconium should be protected from:

Oxygen · Nitrogen · Hydrogen

using suitable inert-gas shielding procedures.

A sound weld is not determined simply by whether the molten pool looked acceptable during fabrication.

The heat-affected zone and hot backside also require adequate protection.

For fabricated ASTM B551 Zirconium Plate equipment, welding procedures should consider:

Joint Preparation · Cleanliness · Argon Shielding · Back Purging · Trailing Shielding · Heat Input

Where pressure equipment is involved, project-specific codes and qualified welding procedures should be followed.

📊 Typical Mechanical Properties

For annealed Grade 702 material, ASTM-oriented minimum mechanical-property requirements are typically around:

Property	Typical Minimum Direction*
Tensile Strength	Approx. 380 MPa
0.2% Yield Strength	Approx. 205 MPa
Elongation	Approx. 16%
Density	Approx. 6.51 g/cm³
Melting Point	Approx. 1855°C

*Final guaranteed values should follow the applicable ASTM B551/B551M edition, material thickness, condition, and purchase specification.

This distinction matters because the purpose of Zirconium 702 Plate is not primarily to compete with high-strength structural alloys.

Its main engineering advantage is the combination of adequate mechanical properties with exceptional corrosion performance in suitable environments.

🔍 Surface Condition & Dimensional Control

Different fabrication routes require different starting surfaces.

Requirement	Available Direction
Thickness	Custom
Width × Length	Custom
Tolerance	ASTM / Drawing specified
Flatness	Standard / Custom
Surface	Pickled / Ground / Machined
Edges	Sheared / Saw Cut / Machined
Custom Blanks	Available
Drawing-Based Parts	Technical review

For a Zirconium 702 Plate intended for machining, the customer may prioritize thickness allowance and flatness.

For a Zirconium 702 Sheet intended for forming, surface quality and material condition may be more important.

The purchase specification should reflect the downstream manufacturing route.

📋 ASTM B551 & UNS R60702

ASTM B551 Zirconium Plate, sheet, and strip are covered under a dedicated zirconium flat-product standard.

For Grade 702, the relevant UNS designation is:

UNS R60702

These two identifiers are useful because they remove ambiguity from an international RFQ.

Rather than requesting:

“Pure zirconium sheet”

the customer can specify:

Zirconium 702 / UNS R60702 / ASTM B551

This provides a clearer basis for chemistry, mechanical properties, heat treatment, dimensions, testing, and certification.

A professional UNS R60702 Plate quotation should therefore reference the applicable material standard whenever the project requires formal specification compliance.

🏗️ Application Matrix

Industry / Process	Typical Zr702 Use	Main Selection Reason
Chemical Processing	Reactors / vessels	Corrosion resistance
Acid Production	Wetted equipment	Acid compatibility
Organic Chemicals	Acetic-acid equipment	Corrosion resistance
Heat Transfer	Exchangers / condensers	Corrosive-service durability
Pharmaceutical / Fine Chemical	Process equipment	Clean corrosion-resistant surface
Specialty Metallurgy	Process vessels	Chemical compatibility
Lining Systems	Corrosion barrier	Material optimization
R&D Equipment	Custom vessels / plates	Specialty environment

This application profile is intentionally focused.

The goal is not to claim that Zirconium 702 Plate is the best material for every aerospace, medical, nuclear, or industrial application.

Its strongest commercial position is corrosion-resistant chemical-process equipment.

⚠️ Not the Same as Nuclear-Grade Zirconium

The word “zirconium” is strongly associated with the nuclear industry, but this can create confusion.

Grade 702 is a commercial unalloyed zirconium grade and is not automatically equivalent to zirconium alloys specifically engineered for nuclear fuel cladding or neutron-sensitive reactor components.

Materials such as specialized Zircaloy and low-hafnium nuclear zirconium grades have different chemistry requirements.

Typical application areas for Zr 702 Plate include:

Chemical Processing · Corrosion Resistance · Fabricated Equipment

rather than making broad nuclear claims.

That distinction protects both technical accuracy and customer expectations.

🔍 Quality Control & Traceability

A specification-driven Zirconium 702 Plate order should include clear inspection requirements.

Inspection Item	Typical Control
Chemical Composition	Heat / lot chemistry
Material Grade	UNS R60702
Thickness	Dimensional inspection
Width / Length	Dimensional inspection
Flatness	When specified
Surface Condition	Visual inspection
Mechanical Properties	According to material specification
Material Identification	Traceability
Custom Dimensions	Drawing inspection
Third-Party Inspection	On request

Documentation

MTC — Material Test Certificate

COA — Chemical / Material Report

EN 10204 3.1 — When specified

Dimensional Inspection Report — On request

For an ASTM B551 Zirconium Plate order, required documents should ideally be confirmed before production.

📦 Packaging for Zirconium Flat Products

Zirconium surfaces should be protected from unnecessary contamination, impact, and moisture during transport and storage.

Packaging can be adapted according to:

Thickness · Sheet Size · Plate Weight · Surface Requirement · Shipment Method

Typical protection may include:

Surface Separation → Protective Wrapping → Rigid Support → Moisture Protection → Export Packaging

Thin Zirconium 702 Sheet requires particular attention to bending and corner protection, while heavier plate requires secure support to prevent movement during international shipment.

Why NiTiCu?

NiTiCu supplies zirconium and other specialty non-ferrous materials for international chemical, industrial, and research projects.

Material Control	Custom Supply	Project Support
Grade 702 / R60702	Plate & sheet dimensions	Drawing review
ASTM B551 supply	Cut-to-size material	Specification review
Material traceability	Surface customization	Inspection planning

For Zirconium 702 Plate, the goal is not simply to supply a piece of zirconium.

The objective is to match the material grade, thickness, condition, surface, dimensions, certification, and corrosion environment to the actual equipment.

Material selection starts with the process environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which standard covers Zirconium 702 plate and sheet?

ASTM B551/B551M covers zirconium flat products and identifies R60702 as unalloyed zirconium. Specify the required edition, dimensions and material condition in the order. See the ASTM B551/B551M standard scope.

Does the material grade alone confirm suitability for an acid process?

No. Corrosion suitability requires the actual medium, concentration, temperature, impurities and fabricated condition to be reviewed. Published zirconium corrosion research evaluates specific conditions; it is not a universal approval for every acid service.

What information is needed for a Zirconium 702 plate quotation?

Send thickness, width, length, quantity, standard edition, material condition, surface, tolerances and inspection requirements. For chemical equipment, include the process medium, concentration, temperature and impurities, along with the equipment drawing where available.