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Zirconia Toughened Alumina

Explanation

Zirconia Toughened Alumina, commonly referred to as “ZTA” is a specially designed form of alumina that has increased toughness and a high thermal shock resistance. Alumina’s are very widely used because they have a high compressive strength, are very tough, and are wear resistant, especially in circumstances of high temperatures and pressures, and in areas of corrosive environments. Blends of Alumina, such as ZTA offer a material that is tougher than Alumina alone and have higher strength and thermal properties compared to similar metals. This class of Alumina is part of the composite ceramics, commonly referred to as “AZ Composites”. These AZ Composites offer a wide range of increased performance such as higher strength, fracture toughness, elasticity, hardness, wear resistance etc.

MAKEUP

A common specimen of Zirconia Toughened Alumina will have 10-20% zirconium oxides. The 20-30% increase in strength often meets the design criteria needed at a much lower cost. Depending on the percentage that is Zirconium, the properties of this ceramic can be manipulated for the applications required. Zirconia Toughened Alumina is generally referred as the intermediary between Alumina and Zirconium and as priced as such. This gives the ZTA a much lower price range than other similar materials. The increase in composite strength is done by a process called Stress Induced Transformation Toughening. This process causes internal strains, which causes crack in the structure of the Zirconium. Because of the crack, the Zirconium particles allowed to switch phases and move more freely amongst the Alumina particles. This causes an increase in Zirconia particles with the same amount of Alumina particles, creating the increase is strength.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

USES

Recently, there have been many uses for Zirconia Toughened Alumina, including valve seals, bushing, pump components, joint implants, wire bonding capillaries, cutting tool inserts, and many more. ZTA has a diverse range of properties, giving its’ importance in an array of applications. In the medical industry, ZTA serves as a ceramic that can be used in joint replacement and rehabilitation. ZTA’s high wear resistance helps create high performance implants. Because of ZTA’s high strength and corrosion resistance, it enables the material to withstand heavy loads without succumbing to degradation; giving ZTA many uses in load bearing applications. ZTA’s toughness also means that it has many uses in cutting tools. ZTA and other Alumina are often used is metal cutting applications. Certain engine components, labware, industrial crucibles, refractory tubes can be manufactured using ZTA. Also, certain abrasive applications, such as sandblasting, can also be manufactured using ZTA.

References

1.)    https://www.ceramics.net/ceramic-materials-solutions/zta

2.)    http://www.morgantechnicalceramics.com/en-gb/materials/alumina/zirconia-toughened-alumina/

3.)    https://www.coorstek.com/english/materials/technical-ceramics/alumina/zirconia-toughened-alumina/

4.)    http://www.insaco.com/materials/aluminum-oxides/alumina-zta

5.)    https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/metals-metal-products/ziconia-alumina

6.)    http://www.aluminachina.com/product/zta-zirconia-toughened-alumina.html