Zirconia naturally occurs in the form of the mineral
baddeleyite. For ceramics purposes, however, it is extracted from
zirconium sand and other minerals containing zirconium in order to
satisfy high standards of purity.
Zirconia offers chemical and corrosion resistance at high
temperatures up to ***0°C – well above the melting point of
Alumina. In its pure form, crystal structure changes limit use in
mechanical/temperature applications, but stabilised Zirconias with
Ytrium Oxide or Magnesium additives can produce materials with very
high strength, hardness and in particular, toughness.
