3Y-TZP TZP-A
Grade
ASTM F1873 · ISO 13356
TZP-A = 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.
Values for the TZP-A 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | — | 400 | 0.2 | 1,250 HV | 3 W/m·K |
TZP-AThis page 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. | — | 420 | 0.2 | 1,300 HV | 3 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 HV | 3 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 TZP-A?
3Y-TZP TZP-A is 3Y-TZP in the TZP-A grade — pick when parts see steam sterilisation, hot water or humid heat: the ≈0.25 % Al₂O₃ addition suppresses low-temperature degradation of the tetragonal phase. 3Y-TZP TZP-A has a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi), stronger than 76% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 212 GPa (30.7 Msi). 3Y-TZP TZP-A 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; TZP-A is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 94/100, better than 96% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 2.7 W/m·K (1.56 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of ceramic grades
3Y-TZP TZP-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3Y-TZP TZP-A; 15 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 TZP-A 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 TZP-A has a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi), stronger than 76% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 212 GPa (30.7 Msi).
Thermal5
3Y-TZP TZP-A is rated for continuous service to 1,000°C (1,832 °F). It conducts heat at 2.7 W/m·K (1.56 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
3Y-TZP TZP-A is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 15 kV/mm (381 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (94/100), better than 96% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3Y-TZP TZP-A takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 10 kg of CO₂ — more than 51% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
3Y-TZP TZP-A's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 3Y-TZP TZP-A
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Y2O3≈3 mol% | 4.5 – 6 | 5.2 |
| HfO2naturally present in zircon ore, not added separately | 1 – 3 | 2 |
| Al2O3sintering/hydrothermal-aging aid; <0.05 in translucent dental grades | 0 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| SiO2impurity limit | 0 – 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe2O3impurity limit | 0 – 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Na2Oimpurity limit | 0 – 0.04 | 0.02 |
| ZrO2includes natural HfO2; usually reported as ZrO2+HfO2 | ≥ 92 (balance) | — |
3Y-TZP TZP-A — frequently asked
What is 3Y-TZP TZP-A used for?
3Y-TZP TZP-A 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 TZP-A?
3Y-TZP TZP-A has a typical tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — stronger than 76% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 3Y-TZP TZP-A easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% 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 TZP-A 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 TZP-A?
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 TZP-A 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 TZP-A?
3Y-TZP TZP-A 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 (2020)
- ISO 6872 Dentistry — Ceramic materials — ISO (2015)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Zirconia (YZ / ZR-Series) technical ceramic datasheets — CoorsTek / Kyocera (2023)
- 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.