Scandium is a Block D, Group 3, Period 4 element. The electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d¹ 4s². In its elemental form scandium's CAS number is 7440-20-2. The scandium atom has a radius of 160.6.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Scandium is a metal that has many of the characteristics of the rare earth elements, particularly yttrium. It is a light material with a higher melting point than aluminum giving uses in aerospace and most recently, in racing bicycles and golf clubs. Doping zirconium oxide with scandium oxide produces a low temperature electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells.

Zirconium is a Block D, Group 4, Period 5 element. The electronic configuration is [Kr] 4d² 5s². In its elemental form zirconium's CAS number is 7440-67-7. The zirconium atom has a radius of 159.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Zirconium is primarily used in it's oxide or zirconia form. Zirconium dioxide has a high melting point (2,700° C) and a low thermal conductivity. Its polymorphism, however, restricts its widespread use in ceramic industry. During a heating process, zirconia will undergo a phase transformation process. The change in volume associated with this transformation makes the usage of pure zirconia in many applications impossible.