Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) is the highest-toughness ceramic in our catalog. Stress-induced transformation toughening gives fracture toughness 10 MPa·m½ — 2× alumina and 1.3× silicon nitride. The default choice when impact, edge loading, or biomedical compatibility matters.
Property values below are typical for our Y-TZP, Mg-PSZ, and Ce-TZP production grades. Y-TZP is the default; alternative stabilizers available for specific service conditions.
| Property | Unit | Y-TZP | Mg-PSZ | Ce-TZP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density | g/cm³ | 6.05 | 5.75 | 6.20 |
| Hardness (HV) | Vickers | 1300 | 1100 | 1250 |
| Flexural Strength | MPa | 1200 | 600 | 900 |
| Fracture Toughness | MPa·m½ | 10.0 | 8.0 | 11.0 |
| Max Service Temp | °C | 1000 | 1400 | 800 |
| Thermal Conductivity | W/m·K | 2.5 | 2.0 | 2.7 |
| Thermal Expansion | ×10⁻⁶/K | 10.5 | 10.0 | 10.5 |
| Biocompatibility | ISO 13356 | Yes (Y-TZP-A) | — | — |
Stabilizer choice determines the toughening mechanism and service limits. Y-TZP is the workhorse — reach for Mg-PSZ when service temperature exceeds 1000°C, or Ce-TZP for prolonged wet/steam exposure.
The default. Highest flexural strength (1200 MPa), excellent fracture toughness, biocompatible (Y-TZP-A grade for medical). Used in dental, orthopedic, precision balls, cutting tools.
Higher service temperature (1400°C continuous) and better creep resistance than Y-TZP. Used for non-ferrous metal extrusion dies, wire drawing dies, and high-temp wear parts.
Resists low-temperature hydrothermal degradation that affects Y-TZP in long-term wet service. Used in steam-cycled environments, oxygen sensors, and aqueous chemical handling.
Zirconia ships into impact-critical, biomedical, and precision-ball applications across our 42 export markets. Each entry below lists the typical variant we supply.
ZrO₂ precision balls for high-load bearings, valve balls, flowmeter components. Diameter 0.4–50.8mm, hardness HV 1300, density 6.0 g/cm³ — heavier than Si₃N₄ when mass matters.
Full ZrO₂ bearings (rings + balls) for non-magnetic high-corrosion service — vacuum chambers, medical equipment, chemical pumps. P0-P5 precision class available.
ZrO₂ grinding balls for high-energy ball mills — battery cathode slurry, ultra-fine paint pigments, electronic ceramic powder milling. Density 6.0 g/cm³ delivers more impact energy.
Medical-grade Y-TZP-A for dental restoration, orthopedic implant components, surgical instruments. ISO 13356 compliant, biocompatible — supplied to medical instrument OEMs.
Y-TZP cutting tool blanks and inserts for high-toughness machining. Higher edge retention than alumina in interrupted-cut applications. Custom geometries to drawing.
ZrO₂ electrolyte substrates for solid-oxide fuel cells and zirconia-based oxygen sensors. Ce-TZP variant for prolonged wet service in automotive lambda sensors.
Zirconia is the toughness champion among our oxides. Reach for it when impact, edge loading, or biomedical compatibility specifically matters — otherwise alumina is more cost-effective.
A Chinese lithium battery cathode producer switched from steel grinding media to Y-TZP zirconia in their high-energy mills. Iron contamination in the cathode slurry dropped 92% within the first production cycle, eliminating a chronic quality issue.
Direct answers from our application engineering team. Email engineering@ceramitell.com with your drawing or spec for a deeper dive.