Hafnium

Metallic ore, hafnium is refined into many forms including foil, powder, sponge, turnings, sheet and wire. Hafnium metal is ductile with a brilliant silver lustre. Its properties are influenced considerably by the impurities of zirconium present. Because havnium has a good absorption cross section for thermal neutrons, has excellent mechanical proerties, and is extremely corrosion resistant, it is used for nuclear reactor control rods. Found on Texian planets.