Zirconia alumina is a composite ceramic material made of aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide. Its force-induced transformation quenching process increases its strength, making it useful in sandblasting, casting, grinding wheels, and joint replacement. It is resistant to wear, corrosion, and high temperatures, making it ideal for industrial and medical applications.
Zirconia alumina, also known as zirconia-hardened alumina (ZTA), is a hardened ceramic medium composed of aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide. It is often used in industry as a sandblasting medium and in casting and foundry applications. Its abrasive qualities make it an excellent candidate for the production of grinding wheels and discs. The incorporation of 10% to 20% zirconia increases the strength of the alumina through a process known as force-induced transformation quenching. This composite is so hard and wear resistant that it is also used in medical applications such as joint replacement.
Zirconium alumina belongs to a class of materials called ceramics, defined as inorganic, nonmetallic solids created by high heat followed by cooling. The ceramics are divided into four categories: structural, refractory, white and technical. Zirconium alumina belongs to the last category, which is composed of oxides, non-oxides and composites. It is a product of the combination of aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide, therefore it is classified as a composite.
The force-induced transformation curing method results in a composite where the zirconia is evenly distributed throughout the medium. The process induces a phase change, causing cracks in the zirconia structure and a change in particle shape and volume, which then increases the pressure on the aluminum particles. Stress seals the cracks and makes the composite resistant to further cracking. This process effectively doubles the strength of the material, creating a composite that is much stronger than alumina alone.
The zirconium alumina produced in this way possesses other attributes in addition to its increased strength. The material is able to withstand very high temperatures without loss of usefulness, is resistant to corrosion and is very resistant to wear. Zirconium alumina has a variety of industrial uses, such as sandblasting and metal cutting tools can be fashioned from this material. It is used in the manufacture of valve seats and other vehicle engine parts, and its resistance to corrosion makes its use common in pump seals, bushings and impellers.
Zirconium alumina is also used in the medical industry, mainly in joint replacement parts. Wear resistance, durability, and the ability to bear heavy weight make zirconia alumina the material of choice for orthopedic implants. Additionally, the composite is used in its abrasive form to grind and trim orthopedic implants once they are released from the molds. Cutting discs made from zirconia alumina are preferred for pre-finishing many types of implants because they cut faster than alumina-only discs, last many times longer, and work well on hardened materials used in implants.
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