Material Overview
Zirconia (ZrO₂) is a versatile advanced ceramic known for its exceptional mechanical strength, fracture toughness, and biocompatibility. Stabilized with oxides like yttria (Y₂O₃), it exists in multiple phases (monoclinic, tetragonal, cubic), enabling applications in aerospace, medical implants, industrial machinery, and dental prosthetics. Its unique phase transformation toughening mechanism enhances crack resistance, making it a “ceramic steel” in high-stress environments.
Technical Specifications
| Property | 3Y-TZP (3 mol.% Y₂O₃) | 5Y-PSZ (5 mol.% Y₂O₃) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 6.05 g/cm³ | 5.95 g/cm³ |
| Flexural Strength | 1,200 MPa | 800 MPa |
| Fracture Toughness | 6–10 MPa√m | 4–6 MPa√m |
| Thermal Conductivity | 2–3 W/m·K | 1.5–2 W/m·K |
Key Features
- Ultra-High Strength: Flexural strength up to 1,200 MPa, surpassing alumina and lithium disilicate.
- Thermal Stability: Operates continuously at 1,400°C (air) and 2,500°C (inert atmospheres).
- Wear Resistance: Vickers hardness of 1,200–1,400 HV, ideal for abrasive environments like mining pumps.
- Biocompatibility: FDA-approved for dental crowns and hip implants, with minimal bacterial adhesion.
Applications
- High-stress mechanical parts: Replace metal in non-lubricated, high-temperature or corrosive media (such as chemical pumps) to reduce friction and failure risks.
- High temperature/corrosive environment: Maintain stability in strong acid, strong alkali or high temperature gas to extend the life of the equipment.
- Electrochemical devices: Used in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), oxygen sensors, etc.
Hardness performance:
The Mohs hardness of zirconia ceramics is about 8.5-9, which is close to alumina ceramics (9) and much higher than ordinary steel (5-6). Its high hardness makes it scratch-resistant and wear-resistant, suitable for high-wear scenarios such as cutting tools and bearings.
Cracking resistance:
Thanks to the phase transformation toughening mechanism, the fracture toughness of zirconia (6-10 MPa·m¹/²) is 2-3 times that of alumina ceramics (3-4 MPa·m¹/²), and it is not easy to break.
We support customization to meet diverse needs:
1. Size customization – Precision machining: After sintering, it can be processed into complex shapes through CNC, grinding, laser cutting and other processes, with a tolerance of up to ±0.01mm.
2. Surface treatment – Polishing: Mirror polishing (Ra 0.1μm) is used for optical components or sealing surfaces.
- Pharmaceuticals: Zirconia plunger pumps resist acids (e.g., HCl) and alkalis, ensuring zero drug contamination during liquid filling.
- Energy: Solid oxide fuel cells use cubic zirconia electrolytes for oxygen ion conduction at 800°C.
- Semiconductors: Zirconia crucibles handle molten silicon without reactivity, critical for wafer production.