Zirconia, 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'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.
| Chemical Formula | ZrO2 |
| Mechanical | |
| Density | 6 g/cm3 |
| Hardness | 13 GPa |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 220 GPa |
| Flexural Strength | 1000 MPa |
| Compressive Strength | 5690 MPa |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.31 |
| Fracture Toughness | 4 MPa m½ |
| Electrical | |
| Dielectric Strength | 11 ac V/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 33 (@ 1 MHz) |
| Volume Resistivity | 10^13 ohm-cm |
| Thermal | |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 9.5 x 10^-6/°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 3 W/(m*K) |
| Specific Heat | 0.46 x10^3 J/(Kg*K) |
| Shock Resistance | 300 °C Diff. |
| Maximum Working Temperature | 1000 °C |