ATZ
ATZ is an alumina-toughened zirconia — a zirconia matrix with dispersed alumina particles that combines zirconia's transformation toughness with alumina's stiffness and hardness, and resists hydrothermal (low-temperature) aging better than pure Y-TZP.
Reference datasheet — ATZ is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the ATZ-20 condition
ATZ tempers and conditions
ATZ is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. ATZ-20 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ce-TZP matrix with ~20–30 % Al2O3 | Choose ceria-stabilised Ce-TZP with 20–30 % Al2O3 when very high toughness and near-immunity to hydrothermal ageing govern, as in dental and load-bearing implants; hardness and strength sit below Y-type. | 350 | 0 | 1,150 HV | 4 W/m·K | |
3Y-TZP matrix with ~10 wt% Al2O3 | Pick the ~10 wt% Al2O3 version when fracture toughness close to pure Y-TZP matters most and only a moderate gain in hydrothermal ageing resistance is needed; stiffness drops to 225 GPa. | 380 | 0 | 1,330 HV | 3 W/m·K | |
ATZ-20Default 3Y-TZP matrix with 20 wt% Al2O3, pressureless sintered | Use the pressureless-sintered 3Y-TZP with 20 wt% Al2O3 as the general-purpose balance of strength, toughness, hardness, wear and ageing resistance for pump and valve parts, guides, dental and structural components. | 1,400 HV | 4 W/m·K | |||
Hot isostatically pressed medical/high-strength grade | Specify the hot isostatically pressed, near-full-density fine-grain form for the highest flexural strength — femoral heads, dental abutments, ISO 6474-2 class parts — accepting harder machining. | 1,450 HV | — |
What is ATZ?
ATZ is an alumina-toughened zirconia — a zirconia matrix with dispersed alumina particles that combines zirconia's transformation toughness with alumina's stiffness and hardness, and resists hydrothermal (low-temperature) aging better than pure Y-TZP. It is used for medical and precision wear parts, available as ATZ-10, ATZ-20, HIP-densified and Ce-stabilised (Ce-ATZ) variants in pressed, CIM and tape-cast forms. Typical values are density 5.5 g/cm³, elastic modulus 240 GPa, thermal conductivity 4 W/m·K and service to 1000 °C, with a corrosion resistance score of 93. It cannot be welded or machined after sintering except by diamond, and HIP-grade material carries a cost and lead-time penalty; ZTA is the alternative when higher stiffness and temperature capability matter more than toughness. ATZ has a density of 5.5 g/cm³ (0.199 lb/in³), heavier than 54% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,890°C (3,434 °F). ATZ has a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi), stronger than 74% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 240 GPa (34.8 Msi).
What is ATZ used for?
- surgical instruments
- dental abutments
- bearing balls
- high-wear seals
- cutting components
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 96/100, better than 99% of ceramic grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 93/100, better than 94% of ceramic grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 7 MPa·√m (6.37 ksi·√in), better than 75% of ceramic grades
ATZ properties
Typical room-temperature values for ATZ-ATZ-20; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical4
ATZ has a density of 5.5 g/cm³ (0.199 lb/in³), heavier than 54% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,890°C (3,434 °F).
Mechanical13
ATZ has a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi), stronger than 74% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 240 GPa (34.8 Msi).
Thermal5
ATZ is rated for continuous service to 1,000°C (1,832 °F). It conducts heat at 4 W/m·K (2.31 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 9.5 µm/m·K (5.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
ATZ is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 17 kV/mm (431.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (93/100), better than 94% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ATZ takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 6.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 57% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
ATZ's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. ATZ is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ATZ
Is ATZ easy to machine?
Turn, mill and drill the green (white) body with carbide tooling, allowing 5–25 % sintering shrinkage. After sintering, use diamond wheel grinding, lapping, or laser and ultrasonic machining only.
Can ATZ be welded?
Not weldable; join to metals by active-metal brazing (Ti or Ag-Cu-Ti), glass solder, or mechanical interference and adhesive assembly.
Can ATZ be formed, bent or molded?
Dry or isostatic pressing followed by green machining, ceramic injection moulding (CIM) or tape casting. Pressureless sinter at 1420–1600 °C; medical parts are then HIPed at 1400–1500 °C and 150 MPa.
ATZ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al2O3Submicron dispersed phase; about 10% in ATZ-10 grade | 15 – 25 | 20 |
| Y2O33 mol% stabilizer (Ce-ATZ uses 10-12 mol% CeO2 instead) | 4.5 – 5.6 | 5.2 |
| HfO2From zircon ore; counted with ZrO2 | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| SiO2+Na2O+Fe2O3total impurities | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| ZrO2balance, includes HfO2 | balance |
What surface finishes work on ATZ?
Diamond lapping and polishing give a mirror finish below Ra 0.02 µm; matte surfaces can be produced by bead blasting and parts can be laser marked. No plating is required, and a mild anneal after grinding relieves residual transformation stress.
How much does ATZ cost?
ATZ is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
ATZ — frequently asked
What is ATZ used for?
ATZ is typically used for surgical instruments, dental abutments, bearing balls, high-wear seals and cutting components. In short: zirconia toughness, alumina hardness; best hydrothermal aging resistance; medical-grade wear ceramic.
What is the tensile strength of ATZ?
ATZ has a typical tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 74% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ATZ easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). Turn, mill and drill the green (white) body with carbide tooling, allowing 5–25 % sintering shrinkage. After sintering, use diamond wheel grinding, lapping, or laser and ultrasonic machining only.
Can ATZ be welded?
Not weldable; join to metals by active-metal brazing (Ti or Ag-Cu-Ti), glass solder, or mechanical interference and adhesive assembly.
What surface finishes work on ATZ?
Diamond lapping and polishing give a mirror finish below Ra 0.02 µm; matte surfaces can be produced by bead blasting and parts can be laser marked. No plating is required, and a mild anneal after grinding relieves residual transformation stress.
Can ATZ be formed, bent or molded?
Dry or isostatic pressing followed by green machining, ceramic injection moulding (CIM) or tape casting. Pressureless sinter at 1420–1600 °C; medical parts are then HIPed at 1400–1500 °C and 150 MPa.
What is the maximum service temperature of ATZ?
ATZ is rated for continuous use to about 1,000°C (1,832 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does ATZ cost?
ATZ is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ISO 6474-2 Implants for surgery — Ceramic materials based on yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) with alumina — ISO (2019)
- ISO 13356 Implants for surgery — Ceramic materials based on Y-TZP — ISO (2015)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4 — Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Zirconia and ATZ/ZTA technical ceramic datasheets — CoorsTek / Kyocera / Metoxit / CeramTec (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.