Zirconia (zirconium oxide)is a ceramic material that has rapidly found use in many applications such as structural ceramics, automotive oxygen sensors and dental ceramics. The superior wear resistance and mechanical strength of zirconia has also led to its use in applications such as bearings and grinding media. Instead of pure zirconia material, additions of some oxides (MgO, CaO,Y2O3) are put in to make zirconia more stable. Yttria stabilized zirconia is most widely used, its main properties are:

*High temperature capability up to 850oC
*High density
*High strength and fracture toughness
*High hardness and wear resistance 
*Low thermal conductivity 
*Good chemical resistance
*Ionic conductivity

Unipretec is a professional advanced ceramic expert focusing structural parts, our zirconia products include:

Ceramic Grinding Medias(grinding balls, grinding cylinders), Ceramic Tubes/Bushings/Sleeves, Ceramic Rods,Ceramic Nozzles, Ceramic Cutters, Ceramic Ball Valves(balls and seats), Ceramic pump seals and shafts and other wear resistant components.

Manufacturing of Advanced Ceramics
The manufacturing of ceramics is done with powders. These are formed either by moulding or pressing, and then fired at high temperature  well above 1200°C -  called sintering. The ceramic material forms litteraly up during that sintering process and acquires its final properties. This densification stage of the material goes along with a reduction in size - shrinkage - that alters the original dimensions.

The final shape can then be achieved by various methods depending upon the required precision. If the tolerances are loose, direct moulding may be sufficient or additional machining before sintering can be operated when the material is still soft and easy to machine. If the tolerances are tight, the part will have to be ground after sintering once the material is hard.

About Unipretec
UniPreTec, advanced ceramics expert, provides component and custom integrated packaging solutions for Aerospace, Medical, Power Generation & Distribution, Automotive, Process Control & Monitoring, Industrial Equipment, Electronic & Electrical. Our materials include Alumina, Zirconia, Zirconia Toughened Alumina, Silicon Carbide, Silicon Nitride and further special materials.Our technologies and equipments allow us to provide various and flexible forming processes, like dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion, injection moulding and slip casting.