Zirconia Ceramics

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Zirconia materials are among the strongest ceramic materials Engineered Ceramics China Ltd. offers. Each stabilized zirconia provides unique and specific properties that meet the demands of extreme applications found in many industries. Offering very high strength, high toughness, wear/abrasion resistance, as well as corrosion resistance, they perform in operating environments that plastics, metals and other ceramic materials cannot withstand. Typical applications include structural components, bushings, pistons, sleeves, rollers, guides, insulators, and more.

Magnesia Stabilized Zirconia (MSZ) – magnesia stabilized; for high-temperature applications; it is not vulnerable to phase transformations at elevated temperatures; heterogeneous microstructure to protect against grain boundary sliding; transformation toughened; high fracture toughness
Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YTZP) – yttria stabilized; fine-grained microstructure predominantly tetragonal phase; extremely high strength and toughness; use temperatures below 500°C; transformation toughened to resist crack propagation; superior chemical resistance; excellent wear resistance
Ceria Stabilized Zirconia (CSZ) – ceria stabilized high temperature, as well as high or low pH environments; transformation toughened; maintains strength in steam and pressure conditions; ceria fills crystal structure vacancies to prevent low temperature degradation
Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) – zirconia toughened alumina; provides 20-30% greater strength than alumina at a lower cost than stabilized zirconias. Transformation toughened; Higher toughness, hardness and wear resistance than alumina

Property Charts & Safety Data Sheets

Property Charts: Zirconias

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Safety Data Sheets: Dense Ceria Stabilized Zirconia Ceramic
Ceria Stabilized Zirconia Powder (RTP)
Dense Magnesia Stabilized Zirconia Ceramic
Spray Dried Magnesia Stabilized Zirconia Powder (RTP)
Dense Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Ceramic
Spray Dried Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Powder (RTP)

Prime Features

Performs Well In Corrosive Environments

Typical Applications

Structural Ceramic Parts: Aerospace

Medical: Bearings

Analytical Instrumentation

Materials Property Chart

		Zirconias
	Property	ASTM Method	Units	MSZ (Magnesia Stabilized)	YTZP 2000 (Yttria Stabilized)	YTZP 4000 (Yttria Stabilized)	CSZ (Ceria Stabilized)
Electrical	Dielectric Strength (.125" Thick)	D 149-97A	V/mil	300	240	240	250
	Dielectric Constant @ 1 MHz	D 150-98	--	22.7	30	30	30
	Dielectric Constant	D 2520-95	--	29.2	--	--	--
	@ Gigahertz	D 2520-95	--	6.2	--	--	--
	Dielectric Loss @ 1 MHz	D 150-98	--	0.0016	0.001	0.001	0.001
	Dielectric Loss	D 2520-95	--	0.0018	--	--	--
	@ Gigahertz	D 2520-95	--	6.2	--	--	--
	Volume Resistivity, 25°C	D 257	Ohms-cm	< 1 X 10¹³	< 1 X 10¹³	< 1 X 10¹³	< 1 X 10¹³
	Volume Resistivity, 300°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	5 X 10 ⁷	< 1 X 10¹⁰	< 1 X 10¹⁰	< 1 X 10¹⁰
	Volume Resistivity, 500°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	1 X 10 ⁷	1 X 10 ⁶	1 x 10 ⁶	1 x 10 ⁶
	Volume Resistivity, 700°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	2 X 10 ⁶	5 X 10 ³	5 X 10 ³	5 X 10 ³
Thermal	C.T.E. 25 - 100° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	8.9	6.9	6.9	6.9
	C.T.E. 25 - 300° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	9.7	8.1	8.1	8.1
	C.T.E. 25 - 600° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	10	10.5	10.5	10.5
	Thermal Conductivity @ RT	C 408	W/m K	3	2.2	2.2	3.5
	Max Use Temp	--	Fahrenheit (°F)	2200	932	932	1000
	--	Celsius (°C)	1200	500	500	537
Mechanical	Density	C 20-97	G/Cc	5.72	6.02	6.07	6.2
	Hardness	Vickers 500gm	GPa (kg/mm ² )	11.7 (1200)	12.5 (1250)	12.5 (1250)	11.7 (1200)
	Hardness	--	R45N	78	80	80	78
	Fracture Toughness	Notched Beam	MPam ^1/2	12	10	10	12
	Flexural Strength (MOR) (3 point) @ RT	F417-87	MPa (Psi X 10 ³)	620 (90)	951 (138)	1380 (200)	551 (80)
	Tensile Strength @ RT	--	MPa (Psi X 10 ³)	310 (45)	550 (80)	690 (100)	337 (49)
	Compressive Strength @ RT	--	MPa (Psi X10 ³)	1862 (270)	2485 (360)	2485 (360)	2000 (290)
	Elastic Modulus	C848	GPa (Psi X 10 ⁶ )	206 (29.8)	210 (30)	210 (30)	200 (29)
	Poisson's Ratio	C848	--	0.28	0.3	0.3	0.25
General	Crystal Size (Average)	Thin Section	Microns	30	1	1	3
	Color	--	--	Ivory or Yellow	Ivory	Ivory	Yellow
	Gas Permeability	--	Atms-cc/sec	Gas Tight <10^-10	Gas Tight <10^-10	Gas Tight <10^-10	Gas Tight <10^-10
	Water Absorption	C 20-97	%	0	0	0	0

Note: The Information In This Data Sheet Is For Design Guidance Only. Engineered Ceramics China Ltd. Does Not Warrant This Data As Absolute Values. Forming Methods And Specific Geometry Could Affect Properties. Slight Adjustments Can Be Made To Some Of The Properties To Accommodate Specific Customer Requirements. Most Of The Dense Materials In The Table Are Resistant To Mechanical Erosion And Chemical Attack. Engineered Ceramics China Ltd. Has Performed ASTM Testing Qualification For Certain Compositions, In Accordance With ASTM D2442. Please Consult Our Technical Staff For Appropriate Material And Specific Test Results.

Magnesia Stabilized Zirconia (MSZ)

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Transformation toughened zirconias such a Magnesia-Stabilized Zirconia have small precipitates of tetragonal phase which are formed inside of the cubic phase grains. These precipitates transform from the meta-stable tetragonal phase to the stable monoclinic phase when a crack attempts to propagate through the material. This causes the precipitate to expand and blunt the crack tip promoting toughness.

MSZ can be either ivory or yellow-orange in color due to differences in preparation of the raw material.

Ivory colored MSZ has a higher purity and offers slightly better mechanical properties.

MSZ is more stable in high temperature (220C and above), high moisture environments than YTZP – where YTZP typically degrades. MSZ has a low thermal conductivity and CTE similar to cast iron to prevent thermal mismatch in ceramic to metal assemblies. Due to the transformation toughening, Engineered Ceramics China Ltd.’s partially stabilized MSZ provides excellent strength, toughness, wear, abrasion, and corrosion resistant materials to meet the severe service needs of many industries.

Property Charts & Safety Data Sheets

Property Charts: Magnesia Stabilized Zirconia (MSZ)

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Safety Data Sheets: Dense Magnesia Stabilized Zirconia Ceramic
Spray Dried Magnesia Stabilized Zirconia Powder (RTP)

Prime Features

High Mechanical Strength: High Temperature Resistance

Very High Wear Resistance: Very High Impact Resistance

Very Low Thermal Conductivity: Thermal Expansion Suitable For Ceramic-To-Metal Assemblies

High Chemical Resistance (Acids/Bases)

Typical Applications

Deep Well, Down Hole Components: Wear Parts

Structural Ceramics: Precision Valve Seats And Seals

Roller Guides For Tube Forming: MWD Tools

Bushings: Wear Sleeves

Pump Pistons: Pump Sleeves

Spray Nozzles: Ceramic Bearings

Materials Property Chart

		Zirconias
	Property	ASTM Method	Units	Magnesia Stabilized Zirconia (MSZ)
General	Crystal Size (Average)	Thin Section	Microns	30
	Color	--	--	Ivory or Yellow
	Gas Permeability	--	Atms- cc/sec	Gas Tight <10^-10
	Water Absorption	C 20-97	%	0
Mechanical	Density	C 20-97	G/Cc	5.72
	Hardness	Vickers 500gm	GPa (kg/mm ² )	11.7 (1200)
	Hardness	--	R45N	78
	Fracture Toughness	Notched Beam	MPam ^1/2	12
	Flexural Strength (MOR) (3 point) @ RT	F417-87	MPa (psi X 10 ³)	620 (90)
	Tensile Strength @ RT	--	MPa (psi X 10 ³)	310 (45)
	Compressive Strength @ RT	--	MPa (psi X10 ³)	1862 (270)
	Elastic Modulus	C848	GPa (psi X 10 ⁶ )	206 (29.8)
	Poisson's Ratio	C848	--	0.28
Thermal	C.T.E. 25 - 100° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	8.9
	C.T.E. 25 - 300° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	9.7
	C.T.E. 25 - 600° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	10
	Thermal Conductivity @ RT	C 408	W/m K	3
	Max Use Temp	--	Fahrenheit (°F)	2200
	--	Celsius (°C)	1200
Electrical	Dielectric Strength (.125" Thick)	D 149-97A	V/mil	300
	Dielectric Constant @ 1 MHz	D 150-98	--	22.7
	Dielectric Constant	D 150-98	--	29.2
	@ Gigahertz	D 150-98	--	6.2
	Dielectric Loss @ 1 MHz	D 150-98	--	0.0016
	Dielectric Loss	D 150-98	--	0.0018
	@ Gigahertz	D 150-98	--	6.2
	Volume Resistivity, 25°C	D 257	Ohms-cm	< 1 X 10¹³
	Volume Resistivity, 300°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	5 X 10 ⁷
	Volume Resistivity, 500°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	1 X 10 ⁷
	Volume Resistivity, 700°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	2 X 10 ⁶

Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YTZP)

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> YTZP’s Transformation Toughening
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Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YTZP) is the strongest ceramic material we offer. YTZP is a purely tetragonal phase, fine grain material. This material offers the highest flexural strength of all Zirconia based materials. YTZP exhibits a trait called transformation toughening which allows it to resist crack propagation. Applied stress, magnified by the stress concentration at a crack tip, can cause the tetragonal phase to convert to monoclinic, with the associated volume expansion.

This phase transformation can then put the crack into compression, retarding its growth, and enhancing the fracture toughness. This mechanism significantly extends the reliability and lifetime of products made with stabilized zirconia. YTZP is well suited to replacing metals due to its extremely high strength and toughness, it also offers far higher resistance to chemicals and superior erosion resistance.

Property Charts & Safety Data Sheets

Property Charts: Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YTZP)

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Safety Data Sheets: Dense Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Ceramic
Spray Dried Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Powder (RTP)

Prime Features

Very High Mechanical Strength: Very Low Thermal Conductivity

High Impact Resistance: High Chemical Resistance (Acids/Bases)

Very High Wear Resistance: High Corrosion Resistance

Very High Erosion Resistance

Typical Applications

Structural Ceramics: Fiber Optic Ferrules And Sleeves

Wear Parts: Oxygen Sensors

Cutting Tools (Knives, Blades, Shears): Precision Ball Valve, Balls And Seats

Deep Well, Down Hole Components: Rollers And Guide For Metal Tube Forming

Thread And Wire Guides: Hot Metal Extrusion Dies

Thermal Barrier Coatings: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Components

Application Limitations

YTZP Properties Degrade Rapidly When Exposed To Water Vapor At 200 - 300° C.: Strength & Toughness Degrade With Increasing Temperature, Generally Limiting Structural Use To Below 500° C.

Materials Property Chart

		Zirconias
	Property	ASTM Method	Units	YTZP 2000 (Yttria Stabilized)	YTZP 4000 (Yttria Stabilized)
Electrical	Dielectric Strength (.125" Thick)	D 149-97A	V/mil	240	240
	Dielectric Constant @ 1 MHz	D 150-98	--	30	30
	Dielectric Loss @ 1 MHz	D 150-98	--	0.001	0.001
	Volume Resistivity, 25°C	D 257	Ohms-cm	< 1 X 10¹³	< 1 X 10¹³
	Volume Resistivity, 300°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	< 1 X 10¹⁰	< 1 X 10¹⁰
	Volume Resistivity, 500°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	1 X 10 ⁶	1 X 10 ⁶
	Volume Resistivity, 700°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	5 X 10 ³	5 X 10 ³
Thermal	C.T.E. 25 - 100° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	6.9	6.9
	C.T.E. 25 - 300° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	8.1	8.1
	C.T.E. 25 - 600° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	10.5	10.5
	Thermal Conductivity @ RT	C 408	W/m K	2.2	2.2
	Max Use Temp	--	Fahrenheit (°F)	932	932
	--	Celsius (°C)	500	500
Mechanical	Density	C 20-97	G/Cc	6.02	6.07
	Hardness	Vickers 500gm	GPa (kg/mm ² )	12.5 (1250)	12.5 (1250)
	Hardness	--	R45N	80	80
	Fracture Toughness	Notched Beam	MPam ^1/2	10	10
	Flexural Strength (MOR) (3 point) @ RT	F417-87	MPa (psi X 10 ³)	951 (138)	1380 (200)
	Tensile Strength @ RT	--	MPa (psi X 10 ³)	550 (80)	690 (100)
	Compressive Strength @ RT	--	MPa (psi X10 ³)	2485 (360)	2485 (360)
	Elastic Modulus	C848	GPa (psi X 10 ⁶ )	210 (30)	210 (30)
	Poisson's Ratio	C848	--	0.3	0.3
General	Crystal Size (Average)	Thin Section	Microns	1	1
	Color	--	--	Ivory	Ivory
	Gas Permeability	--	Atms- cc/sec	Gas Tight <10^-10	Gas Tight <10^-10
	Water Absorption	C 20-97	%	0	0

Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA)

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The main advantage of Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) is the additional strength and toughness over alumina with a lower cost than zirconia (YTZP, MSZ, CSZ).

The combination of aluminum oxide and 10-20% zirconium oxide provides a much higher strength, toughness, hardness and wear resistance than alumina alone.

The 20-30% increase in strength often provides the design criteria needed at a much lower cost than using zirconia.

A process called transformation toughening is the phenomenon that increases the fracture toughness of ZTA. When placed under stress, the zirconia particles change their crystal structure from a tetragonal to a monoclinic structure, causing a volume expansion that compresses the surrounding crack in the alumina matrix.

ZTA should be considered for any application where structural strength is needed that exceeds the standard alumina properties.

Property Charts & Safety Data Sheets

Property Charts: Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA)

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Safety Data Sheets: Dense Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA)
Zirconia Toughened Alumina Powder (RTP)

Prime Features

Higher Strength Than Alumina: Lower Cost Than Zirconia

High Corrosion Resistance: High Erosion Resistance

High Fracture Toughness: Capable Of A Very Fine Surface Finish

Typical Applications

Standoffs: Pump Piston Sleeves

Insulators: Instrument

Probe Bodies: Sensor Bulbs

Pump Components: Valve Seals

Bushings: Impellers

Fluid Delivery System Components: Analytical Instrument Columns

Application Limitations

ZTA Does Provide A Higher Strength Than Alumina But The Temperature Limitation Of 1500 C (2732 F) Must Be Observed. Above This Temperature The Strength Contribution Of The Zirconia Is Reduced.: Use In Moist Environments At Temperatures Above 250C Also Must Be Carefully Considered As The Zirconia Is Subject To Low Temperature Degradation.

Materials Property Chart

		Zirconias
	Property	ASTM Method	Units	ZTA-02 US Patent 8679995	ZTA-14	ZTA-20
Electrical	Dielectric Strength (.125" Thick)	D 149-97A	V/mil	230	250	250
	Dielectric Constant @ 1 MHz	D 150-98	--	10.5	12.5	12.5
	Dielectric Constant	D 2520-95	--	--	--	12.4
	@ Gigahertz	D 2520-95	--	--	--	9.4
	Dielectric Loss @ 1 MHz	D 150-98	--	0.0003	0.0006	0.0006
	Dielectric Loss	D 2520-95	--	--	0.0005	0.0005
	@ Gigahertz	D 2520-95	--	--	9.4	9.4
	Volume Resistivity, 25°C	D 257	Ohms-cm	> 1 x 10 ¹⁴	> 1 x 10 ¹⁴	> 1 x 10 ¹⁴
	Volume Resistivity, 300°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	3 x 10 ¹²	< 1 X 10¹⁰	< 1 X 10¹⁰
	Volume Resistivity, 500°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	6 x 10 ¹⁰	2 x 10 ⁹	2 x 10 ⁹
	Volume Resistivity, 700°C	D 1829	Ohms-cm	6 x 10 ⁹	2 x 10 ⁸	4 x 10 ⁸
Thermal	C.T.E. 25 - 100° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	6.7	6	6
	C.T.E. 25 - 300° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	8.1	7	7
	C.T.E. 25 - 600° C	C 372-96	X 10 ^-6 /C	8.3	7.1	7.1
	Thermal Conductivity @ RT	C 408	W/m K	27	24	24
	Max Use Temp	--	Fahrenheit (°F)	2732	2730	2730
	--	Celsius (°C)	1500	1500	1500
Mechanical	Density	C 20-97	G/Cc	3.96	4.17	4.3
	Hardness	Vickers 500gm	GPa (kg/mm ² )	14 (1440)	14.5 (1478)	14.4 (1470)
	Hardness	--	R45N	81	82	82
	Fracture Toughness	Notched Beam	MPam ^1/2	5	6	6
	Flexural Strength (MOR) (3 point) @ RT	F417-87	MPa (psi X 10 ³)	448 (65)	586 (85)	620 (90)
	Tensile Strength @ RT	--	MPa (psi X 10 ³)	259 (38)	344 (50)	350 (51)
	Compressive Strength @ RT	--	MPa (psi X10 ³)	2413 (350)	2758 (400)	2758 (400)
	Elastic Modulus	C848	GPa (psi X 10 ⁶ )	358 (52)	338 (49)	338 (49)
	Poisson's Ratio	C848	--	0.23	0.23	0.23
General	Crystal Size (Average)	Thin Section	Microns	<2	6	3
	Color	--	--	Off White	White	White
	Gas Permeability	--	Atms-cc/sec	Gas Tight <10^-10	Gas Tight <10^-10	Gas Tight <10^-10
	Water Absorption	C 20-97	%	0	0	0

Certifications

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AS9100 & ISO 9001

Engineered Ceramics China Ltd. RoHS Compliance Statement

Engineered Ceramics China Ltd. (Engineered Ceramics China Ltd.) makes no stand-alone electronic or electrical products but is proud to be a subcontractor of ceramics used in electronic and electrical products. Engineered Ceramics China Ltd. has been asked by numerous customers to confirm that our ceramics are RoHS Compliant.

After a complete bi-annual review of the materials used in our parts and the manufacturing process, we can advise you, our customers, that Engineered Ceramics China Ltd. is RoHS & RoHS 3 compliant.

January 24, 2024

RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances and impacts the entire electronics industry and many electrical products as well. The original RoHS, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, originated in the European Union in 2002 and restricts the use of six hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products. All applicable products in the EU market from July 1, 2006, must pass RoHS compliance.

Directive 2011/65/EU was published in 2011 by the EU, which is known as RoHS-Recast or RoHS 2. RoHS 2 includes a CE-marking directive, with RoHS compliance now being required for CE marking of products. RoHS 2 also added Categories 8 and 9 and has additional compliance recordkeeping requirements.

Directive 2015/863 is known as RoHS 3. RoHS 3 adds four additional restricted substances (phthalates) to the list of six.

EU RoHS specifies maximum levels for the following 10 restricted substances. The first six applied to the original RoHS while the last four were added under RoHS 3, which took effect July 22, 2019.

Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm
Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm
Mercury (Hg): < 1000 ppm
Hexavalent Chromium: (Cr VI) < 1000 ppm
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): < 1000 ppm
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): < 1000 ppm
Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): < 1000 ppm
Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): < 1000 ppm
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): < 1000 ppm
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): < 1000 ppm

RoHS 3 (EU Directive 2015/863) adds Category 11 (catch-all) products and adds four new restricted substances – all phthalates. The four phthalates are mainly used as insulation plasticizers and are on the REACH list of SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern). The expanded list for RoHS 3 is thus as follows:

Cadmium (0.01 %)
Lead (0.1 %)
Mercury (0.1 %)
Hexavalent chromium (0.1 %)
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) (0.1 %)
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) (0.1 %)
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0.1 %)
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) (0.1 %)
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (0.1 %)
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (0.1 %)

Download a PDF of our registration letter here.

Zirconia Ceramics

Property Charts & Safety Data Sheets

Prime Features

Typical Applications

Materials Property Chart

Magnesia Stabilized Zirconia (MSZ)

Property Charts & Safety Data Sheets

Prime Features

Typical Applications

Materials Property Chart

Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YTZP)

Property Charts & Safety Data Sheets

Prime Features

Typical Applications

Application Limitations

Materials Property Chart

Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA)

Property Charts & Safety Data Sheets

Prime Features

Typical Applications

Application Limitations

Materials Property Chart

Certifications

ITAR Registered

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ITAR Registered

View our ITAR Registration Letter