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3Y-TZP DENTAL-T

Grade

ASTM F1873 · ISO 13356

Use the high-purity, fine-grained, low-alumina translucent version for dental crowns and bridges to ISO 6872 Class 5; strength is slightly below the industrial grades.

High cost $$$$

Values for the DENTAL-T condition

Other 3Y-TZP tempers and conditions

3Y-TZP is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 3Y-TZP.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
DENTAL-TThis page
Translucent dental 3Y-TZP (high-purity, low-alumina, ISO 6872 Class 5)
Use the high-purity, fine-grained, low-alumina translucent version for dental crowns and bridges to ISO 6872 Class 5; strength is slightly below the industrial grades.—4000.21,250 HV3 W/m·K
Alumina-doped 3Y-TZP
Pick when parts see steam sterilisation, hot water or humid heat: the ≈0.25 % Al₂O₃ addition suppresses low-temperature degradation of the tetragonal phase.—4200.21,300 HV3 W/m·K
SinteredDefault
Pressed & sintered 3Y-TZP (standard technical grade)
Use this dry-pressed or cold-isostatically pressed and pressureless sintered general industrial grade for pump plungers, wire-drawing dies, cutting blades and structural parts.———1,250 HV3 W/m·K
Hot isostatic pressed
Choose hot isostatically pressed stock with near-zero residual porosity for high-reliability medical parts such as hip joint ball heads and implants under ISO 13356.———1,300 HV—

What is 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T?

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T is 3Y-TZP in the DENTAL-T grade — use the high-purity, fine-grained, low-alumina translucent version for dental crowns and bridges to ISO 6872 Class 5; strength is slightly below the industrial grades. 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T has a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi), stronger than 74% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T 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). Sintered is the default condition FabDigit quotes; DENTAL-T is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 97/100, better than 100% of ceramic grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 81% 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 DENTAL-T properties

Typical room-temperature values for 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 3Y-TZP reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.

Physical5

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T 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).

Density6.05 g/cm³0.22 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)2,700°C4,892 °F
Refractive Index2.2
Light Transmission30%
Porosity0.1%

Mechanical12

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T has a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi), stronger than 74% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus175 GPa25.4 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)400 MPa58 ksi
Compressive Strength2,100 MPa305 ksi
Flexural Strength1,100 MPa160 ksi
Shear Strength340 MPa49.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)5 MPa·√m4.6 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers1,250 HV
Hardness, Knoop1,200 HK
Hardness, Mohs8.5

Thermal5

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T is rated for continuous service to 900°C (1,652 °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).

Thermal Conductivity2.5 W/m·K1.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)900°C1,652 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical5

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 15 kV/mm (381 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10⁹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁶ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength15 kV/mm381 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)27
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.002
Volume Resistivity1×10¹¹ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 81% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent90/100
Chemical Resistance Summary—

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 10 kg of CO₂ — more than 51% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)10 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability3

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended4/100
PolishabilityExcellent97/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T

Is 3Y-TZP easy to machine?

Machine in the green or bisque (white body) state with carbide tooling, where cutting is easy, and allow about 20–25% sintering shrinkage on all dimensions. After sintering only diamond grinding, ultrasonic or laser machining is practical.

Can 3Y-TZP be welded?

Not fusion weldable. Join to metals by active brazing (Ti-containing Ag-Cu-Ti fillers), glass sealing, or mechanical/adhesive interference fits.

Can 3Y-TZP be formed, bent or molded?

Formed by dry pressing, cold isostatic pressing, slip casting, tape casting, ceramic injection moulding (CIM) and photopolymer 3D printing. Sinter at 1350–1550 °C in air at ambient pressure, followed by HIP where full density is required.

What surface finishes work on 3Y-TZP?

Diamond lapping and polishing reach mirror finishes below Ra 0.01 µm. Grit blasting induces a surface t→m transformation that raises compressive stress but can initiate ageing; colouring oxides can be pre-mixed into the powder for tinted bodies.

3Y-TZP 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Y2O3≈3 mol%4.5 – 65.2
HfO2naturally present in zircon ore, not added separately1 – 32
Al2O3sintering/hydrothermal-aging aid; <0.05 in translucent dental grades0 – 0.50.25
SiO2impurity limit0 – 0.020.01
Fe2O3impurity limit0 – 0.010.01
Na2Oimpurity limit0 – 0.040.02
ZrO2includes natural HfO2; usually reported as ZrO2+HfO2≥ 92 (balance)—

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T — frequently asked

What is 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T used for?

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T is typically used for dental crowns/bridges, hip joint heads, cutting blades and precision valve components. In short: toughest oxide ceramic; standard dental zirconia; transformation-toughened structural grade.

What is the tensile strength of 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T?

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T has a typical tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 74% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). Machine in the green or bisque (white body) state with carbide tooling, where cutting is easy, and allow about 20–25% sintering shrinkage on all dimensions. After sintering only diamond grinding, ultrasonic or laser machining is practical.

Can 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T be welded?

Not fusion weldable. Join to metals by active brazing (Ti-containing Ag-Cu-Ti fillers), glass sealing, or mechanical/adhesive interference fits.

What surface finishes work on 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T?

Diamond lapping and polishing reach mirror finishes below Ra 0.01 µm. Grit blasting induces a surface t→m transformation that raises compressive stress but can initiate ageing; colouring oxides can be pre-mixed into the powder for tinted bodies.

Can 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T be formed, bent or molded?

Formed by dry pressing, cold isostatic pressing, slip casting, tape casting, ceramic injection moulding (CIM) and photopolymer 3D printing. Sinter at 1350–1550 °C in air at ambient pressure, followed by HIP where full density is required.

What is the maximum service temperature of 3Y-TZP DENTAL-T?

3Y-TZP DENTAL-T is rated for continuous use to about 900°C (1,652 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ISO 13356 Implants for surgery — Ceramic materials based on yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) — ISO (2015)
  2. ASTM F1873 Standard Specification for High-Purity Dense Yttria Tetragonal Zirconium Oxide Polycrystal (Y-TZP) for Surgical Implant Applications — ASTM (2020)
  3. ISO 6872 Dentistry — Ceramic materials — ISO (2015)
  4. ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
  5. Zirconia (YZ / ZR-Series) technical ceramic datasheets — CoorsTek / Kyocera (2023)
  6. TZ-3Y / TZ-3YS-E / TZ-3YB-E zirconia powder data — 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.