9. Conclusion

Zirconium and hafnium metallurgy is now well known and mastered. Advances in numerical simulations and knowledge of thermodynamics, deformation mechanisms and solid state physics have made it possible to develop high-performance alloys and products, particularly for the nuclear industry.

Despite their excellent corrosion-resistance properties in a wide range of chemical environments, these metals are still very specific in their use, due to their high reactivity with oxygen and many other elements, a reactivity that requires complex and costly extractive metallurgy, as well as heat treatment under vacuum or neutral gas.