When you think of ceramics, do you picture exquisite blue and white porcelain or your kitchen dishes? Today, we’re discussing a “hardcore” ceramic you may not have heard of, but which has long been a part of your life: zirconium oxide ceramic.
Zirconium oxide ceramic, as the name suggests, is a ceramic material made from zirconium oxide (ZrO₂). Despite the “oxygen” in its name, it’s far from being fragile. On the contrary, zirconium oxide ceramic boasts impressive strengths:
High Hardness and High Wear Resistance: Zirconia ceramic’s hardness is second only to diamond and several times that of steel, making it extremely wear-resistant and maintaining its smooth, new-looking appearance even after prolonged use.
High Toughness and Resistant to Fracture: Unlike traditional ceramics, which are often brittle, zirconium oxide ceramic possesses excellent toughness, resisting shattering even under external impact.
Excellent Biocompatibility: Zirconia ceramics are non-toxic and harmless to human tissue, and are even highly compatible with it, making them widely used in the medical field.
Thanks to these excellent properties, zirconia ceramics are thriving in numerous fields:
Dental Restoration: Zirconia ceramics are an ideal material for dental restorations such as crowns and bridges. They possess a color and luster similar to natural teeth, and are durable and sturdy, making them highly favored by dentists and patients alike.
Smart Wearables: Worried about scratches on your smartwatch dial? Zirconia ceramics are the perfect solution! Their high hardness and wear resistance effectively protect the screens of smart wearable devices, extending their lifespan.
Industrial Manufacturing: In the industrial sector, zirconia ceramics are used to manufacture components such as bearings, valves, and cutting tools. Their excellent wear and corrosion resistance significantly improves the lifespan and reliability of these devices.
Aerospace: Zirconia ceramics are even used in the aerospace industry, in the manufacture of key components such as engine blades and thermal barrier coatings. Their high-temperature and corrosion resistance ensure the safe operation of aircraft.
The applications of zirconia ceramics are far more than this. With the continuous development of science and technology, its application areas are constantly expanding. I believe that in the future, this “hard core” material will bring us more surprises!
Post time: Aug-25-2025