Unlike traditional ceramics that tend to be hard and brittle, Zirconia offers high strength, wear resistance, and flexibility far beyond those of most other technical ceramics. Zirconia is a very strong technical ceramic with excellent properties in hardness, fracture toughness, and corrosion resistance; all without the most common property of ceramics – high brittleness.
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 part geometry will dictate which grade may be suitable for specific applications (more on this below). Its unique resistance to crack propagation and high thermal expansion make it an excellent material for joining ceramics with metals like steel. Due to Zirconia’s unique properties it is sometimes referred to as the “ceramic steel”.
General Zirconia Properties
● High density – up to 6.1 g/cm^3
● High flexural strength and hardness
● Excellent fracture toughness – impact resistant
● High maximum use temperature
● Wear resistant
● Good frictional behavior
● Electrical insulator
● Low thermal conductivity – aprox. 10% of Alumina
● Corrosion resistance in acids and alkalis
● Modulus of elasticity similar to steel
● Coefficient of thermal expansion similar to iron
Zirconia Applications
● Wire forming/drawing dies
● Insulating rings in thermal processes
● Precision shafts and axles in high wear environments
● Furnace process tubes
● Wear resistance pads
● Thermocouple protection tubes
● Sandblasting nozzles
● Refractory material
Post time: Jul-14-2023