Yttria-stabilized Zirconia
Ice Zirkon, Ice Zirkon Translucent, SEPR 9503, Yttrium zirconium oxide
- CAS
- 64417-98-7
- EC
- 264-885-7
- Sectors
- Building & Construction, Aerospace & Defense, Oil, Gas & Energy, Automotive, Electronics & Solar PV
Yttria-stabilized Zirconia (ZrO₂·Y₂O₃; MW 349.03) is an off-white refractory oxide powder produced by stabilizing zirconia with 3–8 mol % yttria, suppressing the monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase transformation and yielding exceptional mechanical strength, fracture toughness, and ionic conductivity. It is commercially available in Y-TZP (3 mol %), translucent 4Y/5Y dental, and 8YSZ electrolyte grades, as well as 7–8 wt % thermal-spray powders (10–90 µm), spray-dried granules, suspensions, and milled blanks.
Typical specifications cite HfO₂ at 1–2 wt % (naturally occurring), Al₂O₃ ≤ 0.25 wt %, and SiO₂ ≤ 0.02 wt %. The material is also referenced under the synonym Yttrium zirconium oxide (PubChem CID 6454885) and trade designations including Ice Zirkon, Ice Zirkon Translucent, and SEPR 9503; alternative CAS 114168-16-0 applies to certain 8YSZ and thermal-spray grades.
Yttria-stabilized Zirconia
Applications
- Aerospace & Defense: Applied as a 7–8 wt % thermal-spray powder (7YSZ) for gas turbine thermal barrier coatings, providing low thermal conductivity and resistance to high-temperature oxidation.
- Oil, Gas & Energy: Used as the solid electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) in the 8YSZ grade, and in lambda/oxygen sensors requiring stable ionic conductivity at elevated temperatures.
- Automotive: Incorporated into exhaust oxygen (lambda) sensors and as a wear-resistant structural ceramic component in high-temperature engine assemblies.
- Building & Construction: Supplied as milled blanks, beads, and granules for structural and wear parts including grinding media, pump seals, and cutting tools requiring high hardness and corrosion resistance.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Utilized as a plasma-spray coating for semiconductor process chamber components and as a high-purity dielectric or barrier layer material in thin-film device fabrication.
Safety & Risks
Not classified as hazardous under GHS. Handle powder with adequate ventilation to minimize dust generation; use an N95 respirator, safety glasses, and gloves as standard precautions. Store in sealed containers in a dry environment.
Packaging
25 kg bags or fiber drums; 500–1,000 kg big bags for bulk Technical Grade. Small lots of 1–5 kg available. Store sealed, dry.