Investing in Hafnium

Hafnium is a transition metal that is similar to zirconium but twice as dense. Alloys of hafnium with tungsten are used in filaments and electrodes. Hafnium is also used as neutron absorber in nuclear power plant control rods. Hafnium carbide is the most refractory binary compound, with a melting point of 3890 C.

Hafnium has a reasonably stable nuclear isomer, hafnium-178m2, one gram of which contains as much energy as 700 pounds of TNT.

Allegheny Technologies (NYSE: ATI) - The diversified specialty metals company produces hafnium, as well as zirconium, niobium, nickel and cobalt alloys, and titanium.

Anglo American (NASDAQ: AAUK) - Their Namakwa Sands mine in South Africa is a major producer of zircon, which contains zirconium and hafnium.

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