As a niche yet high-strategic rare metal, hafnium (Hf, atomic number 72) lags behind common metals like copper in public awareness, but its unique physicochemical properties make it irreplaceable for nuclear power, aerospace, semiconductors and other high-end fields. This concise breakdown covers its core traits, supply dynamics and critical applications to highlight its underrecognized role in advanced manufacturing. I. Core Properties A silver-gray, high-melting-point transition metal, hafnium exists solely as a zirconium-associated metal—no independent ore deposits. The near-identical atomic radius and chemical properties of zirconium and hafnium make separation/purification highly challenging, the root of its scarcity.Key strengths for harsh industrial use: 2233℃ melting point, exceptional high-temperature oxidation/structural stability Strong room-temperature plasticity, balanced strength and toughness Superior corrosion resistance (insoluble in dilute acids/alkalis, soluble only in hydrofluoric acid/aqua regia) ~600x higher thermal neutron absorption than zirconium (ideal for nuclear reactor control) High dielectric constant of hafnium oxide (critical for advanced semiconductors) Carbides/nitrides (melting point >2900℃) for ultra-high-temperature ceramics and hard alloys II. Supply & Scarcity Resources: Extremely scarce (crustal abundance ~3 ppm), exclusively tied to zirconium ores. Global resources concentrated in Australia, South Africa, the U.S. and Brazil; China faces low hafnium content in domestic zirconium ores, leading to high external dependence. Supply: Production hinges on zirconium smelting, with zirconium-hafnium separation as a core technical barrier. Only a handful of global players produce high-purity (nuclear/electronic-grade) hafnium at scale, forming an oligopoly. Annual output is ~hundreds of tons, with ultra-low supply elasticity—supply disruptions trigger sharp price swings. Ⅲ. Irreplaceable Core Applications Demand is rigid (no cost-effective substitutes) across high-end sectors: Nuclear Industry: Preferred material for pressurized water reactor control rods, regulating reaction rates and ensuring safety. Driven by global nuclear power revival, demand is steadily growing. Aerospace: Key nickel-based single-crystal superalloy additive, boosting high-temperature creep strength and lifespan for aero-engine turbine blades, combustors and rocket nozzles. Semiconductors: High-purity electronic-grade hafnium oxide overcomes silicon dioxide’s miniaturization limits, reducing leakage current and enabling advanced-node chip production—a key growth driver. Other High-End Fields: Used in cutting tool coatings, special electronic components, corrosion-resistant materials and emerging hydrogen storage research, with expanding use cases. Ⅳ. Conclusion Hafnium is a "scarce niche metal with rigid high-end demand," holding irreplaceable strategic value in China’s key industries (nuclear power, aerospace, semiconductors). The global market remains in long-term tight supply-demand balance, and its strategic and market value will rise alongside global advanced manufacturing upgrades.

In a current development, NASA announced the successful testing of two 3D-printed aluminium nozzles that can withstand the high temperatures and extreme pressure associated with deep space launches.

[SMM Tin Morning Update: The Most-Traded SHFE Tin Contract Fluctuated and Rebounded in the Night Session, Returning Above the 390,000 Threshold]

On May 14, the SMM battery-grade nickel sulfate index price was 30,977 yuan/ton, an increase of 29 yuan/ton from the previous working day, and the price of battery-grade nickel sulfate was 30,700-31,200 yuan/ton, with the average price being the same as the previous working day.

According to a report on Mining.com, The Metals Company (TMC), a deep-sea critical minerals exploration enterprise, has raised CAD 51.75 million in funding for deep-sea exploration. Michael Hess, Chief Investment Officer of Hess Capital, and Brian Paes-Braga, Managing Partner of SAF, led the financing round. The funds will be used for TMC's commercial development plan, with the closing expected to be completed by May 22. The company stated that the revenue is sufficient to fund operations until commercial recovery permits are issued. "We are eager to have Michael Hess as a strategic partner," said Gerard Barron, President and CEO of TMC. "He has 15 years of experience in exploration and development, serving as both an investor and an operator, with deep connections in the US." Regulatory Support Two weeks ago, TMC applied for a commercial development permit and two exploration licenses under the US seabed mining law, which Barron described as the world's first application for nodule mining permits in international waters. A few days prior, the US President signed an executive order calling for the acceleration of seabed mining to expand domestic mineral supplies crucial for the green energy transition. "We view TMC as a unique company capable of having a stake in this area," said Hess. "We are very pleased to support a completely emerging ocean minerals industry and to help safeguard national interests." Seabed Wealth TMC's two exploration licenses are located in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) between Hawaii and Mexico in the central Pacific Ocean, covering an area of 199,895 square kilometers, while the commercial development permit involves an area of 25,160 square kilometers. TMC already possesses indicated and inferred resources of polymetallic nodules. According to the US SK1300 standard, the nodule ore reserves in this area amount to 1.63 billion mt, containing 15.5 million mt of nickel, 12.8 million mt of copper, 2 million mt of cobalt, and 345 million mt of manganese. These are critical metals essential for power batteries, clean energy, infrastructure, and defense. Environmental Risks TMC's plans have faced criticism from environmentalists, who warn that more in-depth research must be conducted before any commercial exploitation. Opponents argue that deep-sea mining could lead to ecological and marine biodiversity disasters, as some coral-like organisms even inhabit polymetallic nodules. TMC has committed to minimizing environmental damage by preserving at least 30% of the contracted area from development. The company also claims that its modern nodule collectors only disturb 3 cm of seabed sediment, significantly less than previous technologies.

[SMM Analysis: Copper Prices Surge Rapidly as Suppliers Sell at High Levels] Affected by the news of domestic smelters' production cut plans, copper prices surged over the weekend from 77,900 yuan/mt to 79,900 yuan/mt, then pulled back to 79,200 yuan/mt, with a weekly increase of 1,300 yuan/mt. Bare bright copper also saw an increase of nearly 1,200 yuan/mt. Suppliers of secondary copper raw material chose to sell at high levels. However, a manager of a secondary copper raw material yard revealed that the current recycling volume of secondary copper raw material remains low, and the recycling volume of scrap from dismantling enterprises has not shown significant growth...