ATZ-20
Grade · default condition
ATZ-20 = 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.
Values for the ATZ-20 condition
Other ATZ tempers and conditions
ATZ is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at ATZ.
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-20DefaultThis page 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-20?
ATZ-20 is ATZ in the ATZ-20 grade — 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. ATZ-20 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). ATZ-20 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).
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-20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ATZ-20; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ATZ reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical4
ATZ-20 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-20 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-20 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-20 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-20 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-20's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ATZ-20
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.
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.
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 | — |
ATZ-20 — frequently asked
What is ATZ-20 used for?
ATZ-20 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-20?
ATZ-20 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-20 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-20 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-20?
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-20 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-20?
ATZ-20 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 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.