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
- Dentistry: Monolithic crowns, bridges, and implants due to aesthetic translucency and durability.
- Industrial: Plunger pumps for corrosive fluid handling (e.g., pharmaceuticals, chemicals).
- Aerospace: Thermal barrier coatings and engine components.
- Electronics: Insulators and substrates for high-frequency circuits.
Zirconia outperforms lithium disilicate in mechanical strength (1,200 MPa vs. 460 MPa) and fracture toughness (6–10 MPa√m vs. 3.3 MPa√m), making it ideal for posterior crowns and multi-unit bridges. Its phase transformation toughening mechanism absorbs crack energy, reducing failure risks under cyclic loading. Additionally, zirconia’s aging resistance ensures long-term stability in moist oral environments, unlike some glass-ceramics prone to hydrolytic degradation
Material extrusion 3D printing enables precise fabrication of complex geometries (e.g., turbine blades, dental crowns) with ±0.01 mm tolerances. For example, 8 mol.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) printed with a 0.6 mm nozzle achieves 5.37 g/cm³ density and 261.9 MPa bending strength, outperforming traditional sintering methods. This reduces material waste by 30% and accelerates prototyping for customized medical implants.
- 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.