Zirconium alloy has good corrosion resistance, moderate mechanical properties, lower atomic thermal neutron absorption cross-section, and good compatibility with nuclear fuel in high-temperature and high-pressure water and steam at 300-400 ℃. It is commonly used as a core structural material for water-cooled nuclear reactors.

Zirconium, as an active metal, forms an oxide film at room temperature, which gives zirconium and its alloys excellent corrosion resistance.