Zirconia Toughened alumina grain (ZTA) properties and applications
Zirconia Toughened Alumina grain (ZTA) is a special wear resistance granular with both superior thermal performance and high toughness. By adding Zirconium oxide, the toughened alumina get metal-like toughness and avoide fragil as ceramic material.
ZTA grains obtain many excellent properties as below：
1. High strength, more than twice that of general alumina ceramic materials.
2. High particle toughness. The bending strength reaches 720Mpa, and the fracture toughness reaches 6.86MPa·m1/2. The bending strength of ZTA ceramics is more than 1.5 times that of alumina and aluminum nitride ceramics.
3. The crystal size of toughened alumina is one tenth of that of alumina, and the loss and peeling of particles are very small, which makes ZTA particles extremely wear-resistant.
4. Ceramic products made of toughened alumina have higher reflectivity than alumina and aluminum nitride ceramics.
5. Can withstand severe thermal shock.
6. The heat transfer performance of ZTA is 1.2 times that of alumina.
7. It has high electrical insulation and a small dielectric constant.
8. Very low thermal expansion coefficient.
Applications
1. Cutting tools. Due to its high hardness, wear resistance, and toughness, ZTA is suitable for ceramic cutting tools.
2. Grinding media. ZTA balls and cylinders are commonly used as grinding media in ball mills and other grinding equipment. Their high wear resistance and hardness ensure efficient grinding of various materials, such as ores, ceramics, and pigments. The use of ZTA grinding media can also prevent contamination of the ground materials, as ZTA is chemically inert.
3. Wear-resistant ceramic lining for mechanical equipment. ZTA grains can work with metals to make casting linings for milling machine or other wear resistance equipment.
4. Bearings. The excellent mechanical properties of ZTA grain, including high strength, toughness, and wear resistance, make it a suitable material for manufacturing bearings. ZTA bearings can be used in high – speed and high – load applications, such as in automotive engines, aerospace equipment, and industrial machinery. They can provide better performance and longer service life compared to traditional metal bearings, especially in harsh operating environments.
5. Biomedical applications. In the biomedical field, ZTA is used for making dental implants and orthopedic prostheses. Its biocompatibility, high strength, and wear resistance make it suitable for long – term use in the human body. ZTA implants can provide better stability and durability, reducing the risk of implant failure and the need for revision surgeries.
6. High – temperature applications. ZTA is used in the production of refractory materials for high – temperature furnaces, kilns, and incinerators. Its high thermal stability and resistance to thermal shock allow it to withstand the harsh conditions inside these furnaces, protecting the furnace structure and ensuring efficient heat transfer.
