Zirconia

Properties of Zirconia material and its uses

Thanks to various additives, such as calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, cerium oxide, and others, the cubic structure of ZrO2 withstands high temperatures and stabilized ceramics, for example in the form of tubes, do not lose their strength.

It is used in glassworks and foundries as a high-quality heat-resistant material for crucibles and for the inner walls of melting furnaces. Zirconium oxide ceramics are also part of sensors for detecting oxygen in the exhaust gases of combustion devices and for optimizing the combustion process. Due to its electrochemical properties, stabilized zirconia is also suitable as an electrolyte for fuel cells.

Zirconia is also used in jewelry as a substitute for diamonds and brilliants in jewelry, resembling a diamond with its high refractive index and hardness. Zirconia also finds application in dental medicine, where it is used to produce high-quality dental implants and crowns. And the list could continue, as zirconia and zirconium oxide ceramics have many other uses.

One of the most well-known applications today is in the production of knife blades, not only kitchen ones. Zirconium oxide ceramics achieve a hardness value of over 8 on the hardness scale. The hardest on this scale is the diamond with a value of 10, which is used for sharpening the blades of these knives. It's interesting to compare this with steel commonly used for making blades, which reaches values of 5 to 6 on this scale.