The Differences between Pure Zirconia and Partially Stabilised Zirconia Ceramic Material

13 March 2020

Pure zirconia offers improved strength, high bio-compatibility and enhanced aesthetic appeal to today’s ceramic parts and other items. It comes in three forms, namely monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic. Temperature plays an integral role in creating each form. Also, partially stabilised zirconia is available for use in ceramics. The following information will discuss the differences between the pure and partially stabilized zirconia to help you know which one is right for your purposes.

What Is Pure Zirconia?

Zirconia dioxide is the natural state of pure zirconia, and it comes from the mineral called baddeleyite. The zirconium dioxide goes through a thermal treatment to turn it into zirconia. From there, the pure zirconia is transformed into its other forms by holding it at specific temperature ranges. At room temperature, it is in a monoclinic phase where it has the highest fracture toughness, surface smoothness and mechanical strength in comparison to other common fine ceramics. Once it is heated to a temperature over 1,175-degrees C, it enters the tetragonal phase that provides it with higher flexural and component strength and superior durability to use for physically challenging applications. If it is heated further to a temperature over 2,370-degrees C, it transforms into a cubic state.

What Makes Partially Stabilised Zirconia Different from Pure Zirconia


Pure zirconia can be stabilised in its tetragonal or cubic phase just by adding certain oxides, such as Magnesia or MgO or Yttria or Y2O3. This is how partially stabilised zirconia or PSZ is created. While this is the major difference between the two zirconias of which we speak of in this information, there are other ways that they differ. PSZ is extra resistant to high temperature and acid corrosion along with being more chemically stable in comparison to pure zirconia. As a result, it creates more resilient ceramic products.

PSZ is ideal for a wide variety of industrial uses, including such applications as bearings, mechanical seals, machined components, automotive parts and moulds. Also, PSZ is used for artificial hip joints and other medical items. Since it offers superior durability, partially stabilised zirconia is often used for replacement parts of metal ones in machines. Unlike metals, it will resist wear, deformation, erosion, heat damage and rust.

Examples of the Main Applications for PSZ:

• Valve plates
• Bearings and mechanical seal bearings
• Ball valves
• Armor plating
• Nozzles
• Thermocouple protection tubes
• Pipeline linings
• Moulds
• Friction slices
• Voltage insulators
• Insulator subsidies
• Insulator protectors
• Water faucets


Whether pure zirconia of partially stabilised zirconia is suitable for your needs, deal only with a reputable company for your material and grinding. This is the best way to receive high-quality results to fulfil your needs.

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