Explore our certified R60702 zirconium product series, precision-manufactured for nuclear reactors, chemical processing, and high-performance industrial environments.
Zirconium 702, designated R60702 under ASTM standards, is a commercially pure zirconium alloy containing a minimum of 99.2% zirconium plus hafnium, with hafnium content not exceeding 4.5%. This composition renders it one of the most corrosion-resistant structural metals available today, particularly in aggressive acid and alkali environments.
Its exceptionally low thermal neutron absorption cross-section — approximately 0.18 barns — makes Zirconium 702 uniquely suited for nuclear reactor applications, where neutron economy is paramount. Unlike stainless steel or other structural materials, zirconium allows neutrons to pass through with minimal interference, improving reactor efficiency and fuel utilization.
Zirconium 702 plate and sheet products are manufactured through multi-stage hot and cold rolling processes, followed by controlled annealing, to achieve the precise mechanical properties and microstructural uniformity demanded by nuclear and industrial standards.
With a thermal neutron absorption cross-section of only ~0.18 barns, Zirconium 702 is the material of choice for nuclear fuel cladding, reactor core structural components, and pressure tubes — enabling superior neutron economy that directly translates to greater reactor efficiency and reduced fuel costs.
| Zirconium 702 (R60702) — Key Technical Specifications | |
|---|---|
| ASTM Designation | R60702 |
| Zr + Hf Content | ≥ 99.2% |
| Hafnium (Hf) Max | 4.5% |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 379 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | ≥ 207 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 16% |
| Neutron Absorption | ~0.18 barns (thermal) |
| Melting Point | 1852 °C (3366 °F) |
| Density | 6.51 g/cm³ |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent in HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃ |
| Available Forms | Plate, Sheet, Rod, Wire, Foil, Strip, Tube, Crucible |
| Standards | ASTM B551, ASTM B550, ASTM B352 |
Six fundamental properties that make R60702 zirconium plate the preferred material for nuclear industry components and critical industrial applications worldwide.
Zirconium 702 forms a stable, self-healing ZrO₂ oxide layer that provides outstanding resistance to hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and most organic acids — even at elevated temperatures and concentrations where other metals fail.
With a thermal neutron cross-section of ~0.18 barns, Zr-702 is virtually transparent to neutrons, making it indispensable for nuclear fuel cladding, core structural supports, and reactor pressure vessels where neutron economy is critical.
Retaining mechanical integrity up to 300–350°C in reactor environments, Zr-702 plate maintains its structural properties under sustained thermal cycling, making it reliable for long-term nuclear and high-temperature industrial service.
Zirconium's non-toxic, hypoallergenic nature makes it suitable for medical implant components and laboratory equipment, expanding its application scope beyond nuclear and chemical industries into healthcare and life sciences.
Zirconium 702 plate can be readily machined, welded (using inert-gas shielding), and formed into complex geometries. Its ductility and toughness allow precision fabrication of reactor components, heat exchangers, and chemical processing vessels.
Compared to other reactive metals, Zr-702 exhibits controlled hydrogen uptake behavior, which is carefully managed through alloy design and heat treatment to prevent hydride embrittlement in nuclear service conditions.
The nuclear-grade zirconium market is experiencing robust growth driven by global nuclear energy expansion, clean energy policies, and advanced reactor development programs.
From reactor cores to chemical plants, R60702 zirconium plate serves as a foundational material across a spectrum of mission-critical industries and environments.
The primary application of Zirconium 702 plate in the nuclear industry is fuel rod cladding — thin-walled tubes that encapsulate uranium fuel pellets and serve as the first barrier against fission product release. Zr-702 plate is also used for spacer grids, guide tubes, pressure tubes in CANDU reactors, and core barrel structures. The combination of near-zero neutron absorption, high corrosion resistance in high-temperature water, and adequate mechanical strength makes it irreplaceable in light water reactors (LWR), pressurized water reactors (PWR), boiling water reactors (BWR), and heavy water reactors (HWR).
In the chemical industry, Zirconium 702 plate is fabricated into reactors, columns, heat exchanger plates, and pipe linings for handling concentrated hydrochloric acid, dilute and concentrated sulfuric acid, organic acids, and mixed acid streams. Its resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking in these environments far surpasses titanium and high-alloy stainless steels, reducing maintenance downtime and extending equipment service life by decades. Industries including pharmaceuticals, fertilizer production, petrochemicals, and specialty chemicals all rely on Zr-702 equipment.
Zirconium 702 plate finds growing application in aerospace and defense sectors where high strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability are required simultaneously. Applications include missile nozzle components, rocket propellant handling systems, and structural elements in high-temperature aerospace environments. The material's resistance to oxidation at elevated temperatures and its compatibility with aggressive propellants make it a strategic material for defense programs globally.
The biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of Zirconium 702 make it increasingly attractive for medical implants, surgical instruments, and dental prosthetics. Unlike titanium alloys that may cause sensitivity in some patients, zirconium's inert nature and osseointegration properties support its use in orthopedic and dental implant applications. The growing demand for long-lasting, body-safe implant materials is opening new commercial avenues for high-purity zirconium plate in the medical device manufacturing sector.
The global push toward Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Generation IV reactor designs is creating new demand for nuclear-grade zirconium materials. SMRs require compact, high-integrity structural components where Zr-702 plate is used for pressure vessel liners, heat exchanger plates, and core support structures. Countries including the USA, UK, Canada, China, South Korea, and Russia are actively developing SMR programs, representing a significant long-term growth driver for zirconium plate demand through 2030 and beyond.
In semiconductor fabrication and advanced laboratory environments, Zirconium 702 crucibles and plates are used for high-purity metal melting, crystal growth, and chemical vapor deposition processes. The material's resistance to contamination, high melting point (1852°C), and chemical inertness make it ideal for producing ultra-pure materials where even trace contamination can compromise product performance. The expansion of semiconductor manufacturing capacity globally is driving incremental demand for high-purity zirconium plate and crucible products.
The nuclear-grade zirconium sector is being reshaped by global energy transition policies, advanced reactor programs, and supply chain strategic restructuring — creating compelling growth opportunities for qualified suppliers.
With over 30 countries reaffirming nuclear energy commitments at COP28 and the EU classifying nuclear as a sustainable energy source, global reactor construction pipelines are expanding rapidly — directly driving long-term demand for nuclear-grade Zr-702 plate and components.
Small Modular Reactors represent the fastest-growing segment of the nuclear industry. With over 80 SMR designs in development globally, and first commercial deployments expected by 2030, the demand for precision-manufactured zirconium structural components is set to increase substantially over the next decade.
Western nuclear operators are actively qualifying new zirconium suppliers to reduce geopolitical supply chain risks. Chinese manufacturers like Yunjie, with proven quality systems and export track records, are increasingly positioned to serve global nuclear and industrial markets with ASTM-compliant materials.
Post-Fukushima, the nuclear industry is investing heavily in Accident-Tolerant Fuel cladding materials. While advanced coatings and alloys are being developed, zirconium-based alloys remain the baseline, and research into optimized Zr-702 compositions continues to drive material innovation and specialized plate demand.
The decommissioning of aging reactors and the management of nuclear waste require corrosion-resistant containment materials. Zirconium 702 plate is used in waste storage containers and processing equipment, creating a parallel demand stream alongside new reactor construction programs.
Chemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and semiconductor industries are increasing their use of zirconium equipment as they scale up production. This diversification of demand across multiple high-value industries provides market stability and growth resilience for zirconium plate manufacturers.
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Baoji, Shaanxi — China's "Titanium Valley" and the country's largest base for rare-metal processing — Baoji Yunjie Metal Products Co., Ltd. has specialized for over three decades in refractory and specialty metals, including tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, niobium, titanium, nickel, and zirconium. Today, Yunjie is recognized as a leading specialist and innovator in the region's specialty-metal processing industry.
Yunjie operates a 15,000 m² manufacturing campus with 8,000 m² of integrated R&D, production, and office facilities, and a registered capital of RMB 15 million. The company has established comprehensive quality management, production assurance, and in-house R&D and innovation systems — providing end-to-end, hardware-to-process control that underpins stable quality and supports large-scale, high-precision manufacturing.
Deep experience in W, Mo, Ti, Ta, Nb, Zr, Ni processing for nuclear, aerospace, and industrial applications.
Municipal-level R&D institution with dedicated laboratories for material characterization and process optimization.
Comprehensive QMS covering raw material inspection, in-process control, and final product certification to ASTM standards.
Yunjie's commitment to excellence in specialty metal manufacturing has been recognized by government bodies, industry associations, and certification authorities at regional and national levels.
Named a "Gazelle Enterprise" by Baoji High-tech Zone; certified by the Shaanxi Department of Industry and Information Technology as a "Specialized, Refined, Characteristic & Innovative (SRDI)" SME and a High-tech Enterprise.
Awarded Shaanxi Hidden Champion Enterprise, Demonstration Enterprise for Transformation & Upgrading of the Private Economy, and Shaanxi Industrial Premium Product Enterprise.
Upgraded to a Municipal-level R&D Institution for Industrial Enterprises (Baoji); in October 2024, accredited as a Baoji Municipal Military-Civil Fusion Enterprise. These credentials reflect Yunjie's growing industry recognition.
Focusing on special metals and alloys (W, Mo, Ti, Ta, Nb, Zr, Ni), Yunjie runs complete processing lines — including rolling (calendering), heat treatment, and sheet-metal & precision machining — enabling full in-house control from raw-material processing to finished-product delivery.
Precision hot and cold rolling lines for plate, sheet, strip, and foil production to tight thickness tolerances.
Controlled annealing and stress-relief processes in vacuum and inert-atmosphere furnaces to achieve target microstructures.
CNC machining capabilities for complex component geometries, including crucibles, tubes, flanges, and custom parts.
In-house chemical analysis, mechanical testing, dimensional inspection, and surface quality verification to ASTM and customer specifications.
Yunjie's Zirconium 702 plate and related products are engineered to meet the exacting demands of the world's most technically challenging industries.
Dies and precision tooling for PDC cutters (polycrystalline diamond compact), leveraging zirconium's hardness and thermal stability for demanding cutting tool applications in oil & gas drilling and mining.
Custom hot-zone/thermal-field assemblies and related components for advanced heat treatment, crystal growth, and powder metallurgy — where zirconium's high melting point and chemical inertness are essential.
Specialty metals & custom parts for aerospace, semiconductors, medical, optoelectronics, nuclear, and new-energy sectors — covering critical nodes across high-end manufacturing supply chains worldwide.
Guided by the principle "Quality ensures survival, efficiency drives growth, and continuous improvement earns customer satisfaction," Yunjie has continuously upgraded its quality systems for more than 30 years.
With professional manufacturing services and consistently excellent product performance, we have earned the lasting trust of customers in China and around the world. Our Zirconium 702 plate products undergo rigorous multi-stage quality control, from incoming raw material certification through in-process dimensional and compositional verification to final mechanical testing and surface inspection before shipment.
Every batch of nuclear-grade zirconium plate is accompanied by full material test reports (MTR) including chemical analysis, mechanical test results, and dimensional inspection data — ensuring complete traceability and compliance with ASTM B551 and customer-specific requirements.
Discover our full range of nuclear-grade and industrial-grade R60702 zirconium products — all manufactured in-house with certified quality systems and available for global export.
Contact Baoji Yunjie Metal Products Co., Ltd. for competitive pricing, technical specifications, and custom manufacturing solutions for your nuclear or industrial application requirements.
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