This one-of-a-kind publication provides 30 peer-reviewed, award-winning papers from recipients of the William J. Kroll Zirconium Medal, named in honor of Dr. William J. Kroll, one of the foremost metallurgists of the 20th Century. The Kroll Medal was established to recognize outstanding achievement in the scientific, technological, or commercial aspects of zirconium production and utilization, and to encourage future efforts, studies, and research.

These peer-reviewed papers cover all aspects of zirconium technology, including history, ore refinement, production, fabrication, mechanical properties, and physical properties. Many of the early papers deal with state-of-the-art ore refinement and Zr production processes, and the later papers with highly sophisticated metallurgical and scientific technologies. Of the 33 medals awarded, 31 have been for work in the commercial nuclear power industry.

This retrospective covers work conducted in the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, and Western Europe, including, France, Germany, Sweden, and United Kingdom.

The papers include a whole range of zirconium alloy technical topics, including:
• Irradiation effects
• Evolution of the industry
• Product development
• Production
• Corrosion
• Deformation mechanisms
• Basic microstructures
• Alloy development
• Hydrogen effects

Taken overall, the papers provide a comprehensive technical history of zirconium technology and will be of great interest to both young and experienced workers in the field.