Zirconia Ceramics
zirconia ceramics (ZrO2) offers a combination of high hardness, wear and corrosion resistance, while exhibiting one of the highest fracture toughness values among all ceramic materials.
There are several grades of Zirconia available –, the most common of which are Yttria Partially Stabilized Zirconia (Y-PSZ) and Magnesia Partially Stabilized Zirconia (Mg-PSZ). Both of these materials offer excellent properties. However, the operating environment and design will dictate which grade may be suitable for specific applications. Its high thermal expansion and unique resistance to crack propagation make it an excellent material for joining with metals like steel.
zirconia ceramics is an extremely refractory material. It possesses excellent chemical inertness and corrosion resistance at temperatures well above the melting point of alumina. Zirconia is stabilized in the cubic crystal structure to avoid cracking and mechanical weakening during thermal cycling. In addition to its high temperature capability, Zirconia offers low thermal conductivity and is electrically conductive above 800ºC. Also has the unique ability to allow oxygen ions to move freely through the crystal structure above 600ºC.
zirconia ceramics, or zirconium oxide (ZrO2), is renowned for its superior strength and toughness among advanced ceramic materials, exhibiting a white crystalline oxide form. Predominantly found as baddeleyite with a monoclinic structure, ZrO2 excels in mechanical resistance, low thermal conductivity, and high-temperature resilience. The addition of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) and Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) enhances its properties, offering improved thermal stability and toughness, making it ideal for extreme conditions. These composites combine ZrO2's chemical resistivity and high mechanical resistance with exceptional thermal expansion and low conductivity, setting a standard for materials capable of withstanding harsh environments.
zirconia ceramics's resistance to crack propagation and corrosion, coupled with its high thermal expansion, makes it perfect for joining ceramics and metals like steel, ensuring durability and performance in diverse applications. Its utility spans across industries, from aerospace to energy, where its ability to maintain structural integrity at elevated temperatures and resist corrosive environments is invaluable. Zirconia ceramics, especially when reinforced with YSZ and ZTA, become indispensable in technological advancements and material science, highlighting their significance in modern engineering and design.
zirconia ceramics’s characteristic parameters include high melting point, high density, high hardness, good chemical and thermal stability, and excellent biocompatibility.
· Melting point and density: Zirconia has a melting point of up to 2700°C and a density of 5.89 g/mL, which gives it excellent stability and durability in high temperature environments.
· Hardness: Zirconia has high hardness, second only to diamond, which allows it to withstand greater pressure and wear in industrial applications.
· Chemical and thermal stability: Zirconia is inert in physiological environments and has good chemical and thermal stability. Its Tm value is 2953K, which means that it can maintain stable physical and chemical properties under extreme conditions.
· Biocompatibility: Partially stabilized zirconia has good biocompatibility, good compatibility with human tissues, high stability, and is suitable for use in the biomedical field3.
In addition, zirconia ceramics also has high fracture toughness and low elastic modulus, which makes it perform well as a grinding medium, and can efficiently perform ultrafine grinding and dispersion. It is widely used in non-metallic minerals, coatings, inks, paints, dyes, titanium dioxide, pesticides, magnetic materials and other industries.
It has a wide range of applications in industry, scientific research and daily life.
