What are zirconia (ZrO₂) ceramics?

Zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), also known as zirconia ceramics, is one of the most advanced technical ceramics available today. Zirconia materials have become an integral part of the high-tech industry due to their outstanding mechanical strength, fracture toughness, wear resistance and chemical stability. Zirconia ceramics, known as “ceramic steel”, combine the hardness of technical ceramics with mechanical reliability that surpasses most oxide ceramics.

At Chiho Ceramics, we specialize in precision machining and custom manufacturing of zirconia ceramic components to ensure performance-driven solutions for industries such as electronics, aerospace, chemical engineering, automotive and medical devices. Our advanced machining capabilities, stringent quality control and engineering expertise enable us to provide the best zirconia ceramics according to customer specifications.

Whether you are looking for zirconia ceramic material properties, high precision zirconia ZrO₂ ceramic tubes, or customized black zirconia ceramic parts, ZhiHao Ceramics is a trusted partner in advanced ceramic manufacturing.

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Zirconia Ceramics-Advanced Ceramic Materials-Zhihao Ceramics

Advantages of Zirconia Ceramics

Zirconia ceramic properties offer a compelling combination of properties that make them superior to many other materials:

  • High fracture toughness: zirconia has a fracture toughness of up to 10 MPa-m.1/2that far exceeds alumina ceramics. This makes zirconia the material of choice where crack resistance is critical.
  • High hardness: Zirconia has a Vickers hardness of approximately 1200 HV, which makes it suitable for applications requiring very high wear resistance.
  • Flexural Strength: Zirconia ceramics have a strength level of up to 900 MPa, which is stronger than many engineering steels.

  • Zirconia Ceramics Maximum Temperature: Operates reliably at continuous use temperatures up to 900°C and can withstand short-term exposure to higher temperatures.
  • Excellent corrosion resistance: zirconia is resistant to acids, alkalis and molten metals, ensuring durability in chemically aggressive environments.

  • Phase Change Toughening: The zirconia structure undergoes stress-induced phase changes, preventing crack propagation and enhancing toughness.
  • Low thermal conductivity: Zirconia has one of the lowest thermal conductivity among ceramics, making it an excellent thermal insulation material.

Zirconia is used in a wide range of demanding applications, from ceramic zirconia knives to aerospace components. Its unique balance of strength, durability and machining flexibility makes it an excellent choice when comparing zirconia to ceramic alternatives in many cases.

The zirconia material is highly resistant to corrosion by acids, alkalis and organic solvents, ensuring longevity in harsh chemical environments.

Medical grade zirconia ceramics are biologically inert, making them ideal for dental and medical implants, and will not trigger allergic reactions or adverse tissue reactions.

At Good Ceramics, we enhance these inherent advantages with proprietary processing techniques to provide the best zirconia ceramics with consistent performance and reliability.

Industrial applications of zirconia ceramics

Zirconia ceramics are widely used in many industries due to their versatility:

What is the use of zirconia in the medical field? It is the material of choice for dental restorations, including crowns, bridges and implants. Its tooth-like appearance, biocompatibility and strength make it superior to traditional porcelain-fused-to-metal alternatives. The medical-grade components manufactured by ToHo Ceramics meet the stringent regulatory requirements for surgical instruments, orthopedic implants and restorations.

In industrial environments, zirconia ceramics are used in wear parts, cutting tools, bearings, pump seals and valve seats. Their wear and corrosion resistance significantly extends the life of components in harsh environments. We supply zirconia ceramic tube plants with precision components for material handling and processing applications.

The oxygen ionic conductivity of zirconia ceramics makes them valuable in oxygen sensor, fuel cell and battery technology. Their electrical properties, combined with their high temperature resistance, allow for applications in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and a variety of electronic components.

From ceramic zirconia knife sets that retain their sharp edges longer than steel alternatives to precision watches and jewelry, zirconia ceramic materials enhance product performance and aesthetics. Our ceramic zirconia knives offer superior sharpness retention and corrosion resistance without transferring metallic flavors.

The insulating properties of zirconia materials make them ideal for thermal barrier coatings on turbine blades, while their hardness and durability are ideal for protecting components and specialized sensors.

Zirconia Ceramics Category

At Zhihao Ceramics, we offer a wide range of zirconia materials, each designed for different performance requirements:

Yttrium stabilized zirconia ceramics (Y-PSZ)

Yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramics (Y-PSZ) are a class of high-performance ceramic materials that partially stabilize tetragonal crystal structures using yttrium (Y₂O₃) as a stabilizer. They are also the most common zirconia ceramics. Yttrium doping effectively solves the phase transition cracking that occurs in pure zirconia at high temperatures, resulting in excellent mechanical properties and long-term stability.

Main features

  • High Strength and Toughness: Y-TZP exhibits extremely high flexural strength (typically 900-1200 MPa) and fracture toughness (6-10 MPa-m1/2) in advanced ceramics, making it one of the closest structural ceramics to metal.
  • Phase change toughening mechanism: under the action of external force, part of the tetragonal phase can be transformed into monoclinic phase, resulting in a phase change toughening effect, significantly improving the fracture toughness of the material and resistance to crack expansion.
  • Excellent wear resistance: Mohs hardness close to 9, showing excellent wear resistance, suitable for long-term friction and high-precision wear-resistant parts.
  • Good biocompatibility: its chemical inertness and non-toxicity make it widely used in biomedical applications such as dental and orthopedic implants.
  • Excellent corrosion resistance and chemical stability: stable in acid, alkali and salt solutions, suitable for use in corrosive environments.
  • Excellent thermal properties: its low thermal conductivity (about 2-3 W/m-K) provides excellent thermal insulation; its coefficient of linear expansion is close to that of steel, which facilitates metal-ceramic bonding.

major application

  • Medical: Dental restorations (all-ceramic crowns and bridges), hip and knee replacements, etc.
  • Mechanical engineering: wear-resistant bearings, seals, cutting tools, valves and pump components.
  • Electronics and energy: Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) Electrolytes, oxygen sensors, etc.
  • Aerospace: high-temperature structural components and insulation materials.

production and processing

Yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramics are typically made from zirconia nanopowders doped with 3-8 mol% yttrium. They are produced by isostatic pressing or injection molding, followed by high temperature sintering to achieve a dense microstructure. High precision machining processes such as diamond grinding, ultrasonic machining or laser cutting are often required to fulfill the needs of precision parts.

Magnesium Stabilized Zirconia Ceramics (Mg-PSZ)

Magnesium oxide stabilized zirconia ceramics (MgO-PSZ) are partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) stabilized with magnesium oxide (MgO). They combine the high strength and toughness of zirconia with phase change toughening to provide excellent resistance to cracking and abrasion, making them a key material for structural ceramics.

Main features

  • High Strength and Toughness: Mg-PSZ has high flexural strength (up to 600-800 MPa) and fracture toughness (typically 6-8 MPa-m1/2), which is significantly better than conventional ceramics.
  • Phase transition toughening: Through stress-induced phase transition from partially stabilized tetragonal phase to monoclinic phase, MgO-PSZ effectively inhibits crack extension and enhances crack resistance.
  • Excellent Wear Resistance: Mg-PSZ has a Mohs hardness of approximately 8-9, which is highly wear resistant, making it suitable for long term friction or high load conditions.
  • High temperature resistance: MgO-PSZ maintains structural stability at high temperatures, with a working temperature range of 1000-1200°C.
  • Excellent corrosion resistance: stable to most acidic and alkaline media, suitable for corrosive environments such as chemical and metallurgical industries.
  • Thermal properties: low thermal conductivity, moderate coefficient of thermal expansion, and a certain degree of thermal shock resistance.

major application

  • Industrial wear parts: ball valves, seals, pump and valve parts and wear linings.
  • Cutting and tooling: cutting tools, molding dies and nozzles.
  • Metallurgy and energy: high-temperature crucibles, continuous steel pouring nozzles and refractory materials.
  • Engineered structural components: high-strength bearings, bushings and impact components.

Manufacturing process

Mg-PSZ is a high purity zirconia powder doped with about 8-10 wt% magnesium oxide. A dense microstructure is achieved by isostatic pressing and high temperature sintering. The presence of stable cubic and partially deformable tetragonal phases in the grains contributes to its high toughness. Due to its extremely high hardness, machining usually requires precision grinding with diamond grinding wheels or laser machining.

Alumina Toughened Zirconia Ceramics (ZTA)

Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) is a composite ceramic material consisting of a high content alumina (Al₂O₃) matrix doped with a percentage of zirconia (ZrO₂) particles. The addition of zirconia significantly improves the fracture toughness and crack resistance of ZTA, making it an excellent choice for applications requiring high strength, high wear resistance and high corrosion resistance.

Main features

  • Enhanced fracture toughness: Compared with pure alumina ceramics, ZTA particles undergo stress-induced phase transition during crack propagation through a phase transition toughening mechanism, which hinders crack propagation and significantly improves their fracture toughness.
  • Excellent strength and hardness: Combining the high hardness of alumina (approximately 9 on the Mohs scale) with the high strength of zirconia, ZTA has a flexural strength of 500-800 MPa.
  • Excellent Wear Resistance: The composite structure has excellent wear resistance, making it widely used in industrial parts that are subject to severe wear and tear.
  • Excellent corrosion resistance: stable in most acidic and alkaline environments, suitable for harsh environments such as chemical and metallurgical applications.
  • Balanced thermal properties: Compared to pure alumina, ZTA has a higher thermal shock resistance and a coefficient of thermal expansion closer to that of metals, which facilitates metal-ceramic bonding.

typical application

  • Mechanical and engineering: bearings, valves, seals, pump components
  • Wear-resistant components: ball mills, grinding media, cutting tools
  • Electrical and electronics: insulators, substrates, high-strength insulating components
  • Medical devices: artificial joints, dental prostheses
  • Metallurgical and chemical engineering: high-temperature crucibles, nozzles, wear-resistant linings

production and processing

ZTA is produced by uniformly mixing alumina powder with a specific proportion of zirconia powder (typically 10-20%), dry pressing, isostatic pressing or injection molding, and then sintering at high temperatures. The resulting microstructure shows a uniform distribution of zirconia particles within the alumina matrix, resulting in a toughened surface. Due to its high hardness, machining usually requires diamond tools or laser processing to ensure accuracy.

Alumina Toughened Zirconia Ceramics (ATZ)

Alumina-toughened zirconia ceramics (ATZ) are composite ceramics consisting of a zirconia (ZrO₂) matrix doped with a certain percentage of alumina (Al₂O₃) particles. Unlike ZTA (Zirconia Toughened Alumina), ATZ consists mainly of zirconia. The addition of a small amount of alumina further enhances its strength, hardness and wear resistance while maintaining good fracture toughness.

Main features

  • Higher strength and toughness: Based on the high strength and phase change toughening mechanism of Y-TZP zirconia, the addition of alumina particles further enhances the microstructural stability of the material, resulting in a flexural strength of 1,000-1,400 MPa and a fracture toughness of 7-10 MPa-m1/2.
  • Excellent wear resistance and hardness: The high hardness of aluminum oxide (Mohs hardness of about 9) gives ATZ excellent wear resistance, far exceeding that of pure Y-TZP.
  • Excellent Thermal Properties: The addition of aluminum oxide reduces the material's coefficient of thermal expansion, enhances thermal stability and improves resistance to thermal shock. It can be used at temperatures up to 1500°C.
  • Excellent chemical stability: it remains chemically inert to acids, alkalis and most corrosive media, making it suitable for demanding applications.
  • Suitable for precision applications: Its high strength and wear resistance make it widely used for precision parts that require high reliability and long life.

typical application

  • Medical: bioceramic materials such as dental implants, dental prostheses and hip joints.
  • Mechanical and engineering: high-strength bearings, seals, pump and valve components, and cutting tools.
  • Electronics and energy: high-strength insulators and solid oxide fuel cell assemblies.
  • Aerospace: Wear-resistant nozzles and high-temperature structural components.

production and processing

ATZs are typically made from a high purity Y-TZP powder matrix with a small amount (typically 10-20 wt%) of alumina. The material is formed by isostatic pressing, injection molding or cast strip molding, followed by high temperature sintering. In the sintered microstructure, the alumina is uniformly dispersed in the zirconia matrix, which strengthens grain boundaries and enhances wear resistance. Due to its high hardness and toughness, machining requires diamond grinding, ultrasonic machining or laser precision cutting.

Zirconia Material Properties

Zhihao Ceramics offers a wide range of zirconia ceramic materials for customers to choose from. The values below are typical material properties and may vary depending on product configuration and manufacturing process. For more details, please feel free to contact us.

mechanical property

performances Unit zirconium oxide magnesium and zirconium (chemistry) ZTA
color -- fig. reactionary yellow (color) fig. reactionary
intensity g/cm³ 6.05 5.7 4.1~4.38
durometer GPa 12.5 11.8 15
compressive strength MPa 2100 1750 2350
bending strength MPa 850 900 700
Fracture toughness MPa・m1/2 4~5 ＞7.0 3.5
modulus of elasticity GPa 200 200 310
Poisson's ratio -- 0.3 0.3 0.26

thermal performance

performances unit (of measure) zirconium oxide magnesium and zirconium (chemistry) ZTA
Maximum operating temperature ℃(No load) 1000 1000 1500
Thermal Conductivity @ 25°C W/(m・K) 2 2.2 20
Coefficient of thermal expansion @ 400°C 1 x 10-6/°C 10 10.2 8
specific heat J/(kg・K) 460 400 720
thermal shock resistance ℃(Put in water) 300 350 300

Electrical Performance

performances unit (of measure) zirconium oxide magnesium and zirconium (chemistry) ZTA
dielectric constant 1MHz 30 28 10.2
Dielectric strength (6.35mm) ac-kV/mm 9 9.4 9
dielectric loss 1MHz 16 x 10-4 10 x 10-4 20 x 10-4
Volume Resistance @ 25°C Ω・cm ＞1013 ＞1012 ＞1014
Volume Resistance @ 500°C Ω・cm ＞103 ＞103 ＞104

Zirconia Ceramics Application Examples

Zirconia (ZrO₂) ceramics from ZhiHao Ceramics are known for their exceptional high strength, excellent fracture toughness, good wear resistance and chemical stability. They are widely used in industries that require the highest mechanical properties and durability. Compared to other structural ceramics, zirconia ceramics have near-metal toughness and a unique phase change toughening mechanism, making them advanced ceramic materials that combine hardness and reliability.

Main applications of zirconia ceramics:

  • Zirconia tubes and rods (standard and customized sizes)
  • Zirconia Ceramic Seals, Valve and Pump Components
  • Zirconia ceramic substrates and plates
  • Zirconia bearings and bushings
  • Zirconia cutting tools and cutters
  • Custom machined zirconia structures for high-tech industries
Magnesium stabilized zirconia ceramic bushings
Yttrium oxide stabilized zirconia - zirconia ceramic rods
Zirconia Ceramic Fixed Knife 03
Zirconia Ceramic Pin 01
Black Zirconia Ceramic Structures 03
Zirconia Ceramic Ring 02
Zirconia Cutting Knife 03
Magnesium stabilized zirconia ceramic block 3

Zirconia Ceramics Processing

Zirconia ceramics are known for their exceptional toughness, high strength and superior wear resistance, making them one of the most advanced ceramic materials in precision engineering. Zhihao Ceramics offers a full range of zirconia ceramic machining capabilities to provide outstanding performance, durability, and precision based on customer needs.

During the machining process, we utilize diamond grinding, precision milling and fine polishing techniques to achieve micron tolerances and superior surface finishes. These capabilities ensure that zirconia ceramic parts meet the stringent structural accuracy and aesthetics required by industries such as medical devices, aerospace and advanced machinery.

With years of technical expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, Great Ceramics not only offers standard parts, but also specializes in customized, complex structural components that require high reliability and long service life.

CNC grinding and milling

CNC milling, turning and grinding to micron tolerances.

Grinding and polishing

Surface polishing results in smooth surfaces and optical grade surfaces.

Laser processing of ceramic substrates

Ceramic Laser Cutting

For laser drilling and cutting of complex geometries.

Metal and Ceramic Brazed Assemblies - 600x600

Metallization and welding

Metallization of ceramic surfaces (Mo/Mn, W).

common problems

Yes.Zirconia is a ceramic-Specifically, it is categorized as an advanced or technical ceramic. Unlike traditional clay-based ceramics, theZirconia CeramicsIt is derived from zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), which, through sophisticated processing techniques, has excellent mechanical and thermal properties.

Zirconia is a ceramic, rather than a metal. Although it contains an oxidized form of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), it becomes a ceramic material with properties that are distinctly different from those of metals, including superior hardness, electrical insulation, and corrosion resistance.

Not exactly. AlthoughZirconia is a ceramic, but not all ceramics are zirconia. Traditional ceramics are usually based on silicate materials, whileZirconia CeramicsOn the other hand, it represents a specific advanced ceramic material with significantly enhanced properties, especially in terms of strength, toughness and heat resistance.

Zirconia and Ceramicsof the problem depends on the application. For applications requiring high strength, fracture toughness and wear resistance, theZirconia CeramicsUsually superior to conventional ceramics. However, for less demanding applications or where cost is a major factor, conventional ceramics may be sufficient.

Zirconia CeramicsHas a variety of applications including dental restorations (crowns, bridges), cutting tools, wear parts, oxygen sensors, fuel cells, thermal barrier coatings, precision instruments,Ceramic Zirconia Knifeand a wide range of industrial components that require high performance under demanding conditions.

Yes.Zirconia is all ceramic.s - it consists mainly of zirconium dioxide in various crystalline phases (stabilized with additives such as yttrium), and its basic form is free of metallic components. Some composites may combine zirconia with other materials, but pureZirconia Ceramicsis 100% ceramic.

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Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing Specialist

Why choose zirconium oxide from Good Ceramics?

  • Customization: from standard zirconia rods and tubes to complex components.
  • Precision machining: state-of-the-art diamond grinding ensures micrometer accuracy.
  • Material expertise: Decades of experience in processing zirconia ZrO₂ ceramics.
  • Quality Assurance: Rigorous inspection and testing protocols.
  • Global reach: serving customers in Europe, North America and Asia.

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