Zirconium dioxide

Zirconium dioxide, or zirconia, is a refractory oxide used in ceramic, pigment and specialty materials manufacture. Its high-temperature stability and resistance to many corrosive environments support demanding fired applications. As a zirconium-oxide source, it also participates in formation of mixed oxides and ceramic pigment structures.

The selected powder is unstabilized monoclinic zirconia. It differs from yttria- or other oxide-stabilized zirconias designed to retain particular crystal phases, so transformation-toughened structural-ceramic properties are not assumed for this raw material. Powder composition and particle characteristics influence mixing, reaction and sintering behavior. In downstream manufacture, stabilizers or other oxides may be introduced to create the required final ceramic composition.

Typical Applications

• Refractory compositions: Used as a zirconia-bearing component in selected refractory products and high-temperature ceramic systems. It contributes resistance to heat and chemical attack within the designed refractory structure.
• Ceramic pigment production: Used as a zirconium-oxide feedstock in preparation of pigments for tile and ceramic decoration. It becomes part of the pigment phase during the selected firing route.
• Mixed-oxide ceramic manufacture: Used as a starting oxide for zirconium-containing ceramic compositions. Additional oxides and processing steps establish the final phase structure rather than relying on unstabilized zirconia alone.

Specifications

Specifications describe the standard grade. Tolerance, test method and documentation package are confirmed per order.