3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP
Grade · default condition
ASTM F1873 · ISO 13356
3Y-TZP = 3 mol% yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystal, pressed & sintered
Default high-strength/high-toughness structural zirconia for wear parts, ferrules, plungers and dental blanks.
Values for the 3Y-TZP condition
Other 3Y-TZP Zirconia tempers and conditions
3Y-TZP Zirconia is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 3Y-TZP Zirconia.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3Y-TZPDefaultThis page 3 mol% yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystal, pressed & sintered | Default high-strength/high-toughness structural zirconia for wear parts, ferrules, plungers and dental blanks. | — | 350 | — | 1,250 HV | 3 W/m·K |
Magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (TTZ), coarse-grain cubic matrix | Pick for thermal-shock-prone, large or hot-metal-contact parts (extrusion dies, valve seats, ladle nozzles) where LTD immunity beats peak strength. | — | — | — | 1,150 HV | 3 W/m·K |
ESD-safe zirconia | Use for semiconductor/electronics handling tools, test sockets and nozzles where charge must bleed off (10⁶–10⁹ Ω·cm) without particle generation. | — | — | — | 1,200 HV | 3 W/m·K |
hot isostatically pressed, medical/implant grade (ISO 13356) | Choose when pore-free maximum strength and biomedical certification are required (femoral heads, high-load micro parts). | — | — | — | 1,300 HV | — |
ATZ | Pick when higher hardness, stiffness and better hydrothermal ageing resistance than plain 3Y-TZP are wanted at slightly lower toughness. | — | — | — | 1,400 HV | 6 W/m·K |
What is 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP?
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP is 3Y-TZP Zirconia in the 3Y-TZP grade — default high-strength/high-toughness structural zirconia for wear parts, ferrules, plungers and dental blanks. 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP has a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi), stronger than 71% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP has a density of 6.05 g/cm³ (0.219 lb/in³), heavier than 66% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,700°C (4,892 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 88% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 2.5 W/m·K (1.44 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of ceramic grades
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP; 32 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 3Y-TZP Zirconia reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical4
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP has a density of 6.05 g/cm³ (0.219 lb/in³), heavier than 66% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,700°C (4,892 °F).
Mechanical12
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP has a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi), stronger than 71% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal5
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP is rated for continuous service to 1,000°C (1,832 °F). It conducts heat at 2.5 W/m·K (1.44 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 12 kV/mm (304.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 88% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — more than 51% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP
Is 3Y-TZP Zirconia easy to machine?
Green/bisque machine with carbide tooling allowing ~20–25 % sintering shrinkage; after firing only diamond grinding, lapping or laser/ultrasonic machining works.
Can 3Y-TZP Zirconia be welded?
Not weldable — join by active-metal brazing (Ti/Ag-Cu-Ti), glass sealing, shrink fit or adhesive bonding.
Can 3Y-TZP Zirconia be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped by uniaxial/cold-isostatic pressing of spray-dried granulate, ceramic injection molding, slip/tape casting or DLP 3D printing, then sintered 1350–1550 °C in air.
What surface finishes work on 3Y-TZP Zirconia?
Diamond lapping/polishing to Ra <0.02 µm; sandblasting or coarse grinding induces surface t→m transformation — a stress-relief anneal near 1000 °C restores the phase state.
3Y-TZP Zirconia chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Y2O3≈3 mol% stabilizer | 4.5 – 6 | 5.2 |
| HfO2inherent to zircon feedstock; counted with ZrO2 in ISO 13356 | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Al2O3sintering aid / LTD suppressor | 0 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| SiO2impurity | 0 – 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Fe2O3impurity | 0 – 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Na2Oimpurity | 0 – 0.04 | 0.01 |
| ZrO2balance, includes naturally associated HfO2 | ≥ 92 (balance) | — |
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP — frequently asked
What is 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP used for?
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP is typically used for dental crowns/bridges, hip ball heads, precision valve components, cutting tool inserts and sensor housings. In short: toughest structural ceramic; metal-free wear surface; diamond grinding only.
What is the tensile strength of 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP?
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP has a typical tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 71% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades). Green/bisque machine with carbide tooling allowing ~20–25 % sintering shrinkage; after firing only diamond grinding, lapping or laser/ultrasonic machining works.
Can 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP be welded?
Not weldable — join by active-metal brazing (Ti/Ag-Cu-Ti), glass sealing, shrink fit or adhesive bonding.
What surface finishes work on 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP?
Diamond lapping/polishing to Ra <0.02 µm; sandblasting or coarse grinding induces surface t→m transformation — a stress-relief anneal near 1000 °C restores the phase state.
Can 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped by uniaxial/cold-isostatic pressing of spray-dried granulate, ceramic injection molding, slip/tape casting or DLP 3D printing, then sintered 1350–1550 °C in air.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP?
3Y-TZP Zirconia 3Y-TZP is rated for continuous use to about 1,000°C (1,832 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ISO 13356 — Implants for surgery: ceramic materials based on yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) — ISO (2015)
- ASTM F1873 — Standard Specification for High-Purity Dense Yttria Tetragonal Zirconium Oxide Polycrystal (Y-TZP) for Surgical Implant Applications — ASTM International (2020)
- ISO 6872 — Dentistry: Ceramic materials — ISO (2024)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4 — Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Zirconia (YTZP, Mg-PSZ, ATZ) technical ceramic property sheets — CoorsTek / Kyocera / CeramTec (2023)
- TZ series zirconia powder technical bulletin (TZ-3Y, TZ-3YS-E) — Tosoh Corporation (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.