ZirkonoxidKristallen

ZirkonoxidKristallen, often referred to as zirconia, is a crystalline oxide of zirconium with the chemical formula ZrO2. It is a highly refractory material, meaning it has a very high melting point and remains stable at elevated temperatures. In its natural form, zirconia is known as the mineral baddeleyite, though it is most commonly produced synthetically for various industrial and technological applications.

The properties of zirconia can be significantly altered by the addition of stabilizing elements such as yttrium, calcium, or magnesium. These dopants help to prevent phase transformations that occur during heating and cooling, which can otherwise lead to cracking. Stabilized zirconia exhibits remarkable toughness, hardness, and chemical inertness. Its ionic conductivity at high temperatures is also a key characteristic, making it useful in oxygen sensors and solid oxide fuel cells.

Due to its strength, biocompatibility, and aesthetic qualities, stabilized zirconia has found widespread use in dentistry, particularly for crowns, bridges, and implant abutments. It is also employed in high-performance ceramics, refractory linings for furnaces, thermal barrier coatings for jet engines, and as a gemstone in its cubic zirconia form, which imitates diamond. The production process typically involves the purification of zirconium ores followed by calcination and sintering.