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HfO2 PS

Heat-treated state

PS = plasma-spray / EB-PVD coating grade

Spray-dried or fused-and-crushed powder deposited as a porous, strain-tolerant thermal/environmental barrier layer on superalloys and C/C-SiC.

High cost $$$$

Values for the PS condition

Other HfO2 tempers and conditions

HfO2 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at HfO2.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
PSThis page
Plasma-spray / EB-PVD coating grade
Spray-dried or fused-and-crushed powder deposited as a porous, strain-tolerant thermal/environmental barrier layer on superalloys and C/C-SiC.—250.1550 HV1 W/m·K
optical / electronic grade (evaporation material, high-k dielectric)
Pick for UV–IR high-refractive-index coatings, laser mirrors and gate-dielectric/ALD film work where trace metals and absorption must be minimal.—1200.1850 HV2 W/m·K
99.9Default
pressed & sintered monoclinic hafnia (technical grade)
Standard dense technical hafnia for crucibles, high-temperature insulators and refractory parts where thermal cycling through 1700 °C is avoided.———800 HV2 W/m·K
Yttria-stabilized hafnia
Choose when parts must be thermally cycled above 1700 °C — Y2O3 suppresses the monoclinic transformation and its damaging volume change.———950 HV1 W/m·K

What is HfO2 PS?

HfO2 PS is HfO2 heat treated to PS — spray-dried or fused-and-crushed powder deposited as a porous, strain-tolerant thermal/environmental barrier layer on superalloys and C/C-SiC. The elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi). HfO2 PS has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,758°C (4,996 °F). 99.9 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; PS is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 2,000°C (3,632 °F), better than 94% of ceramic grades

Limitations

  • Poor heat conductor — 1 W/m·K (0.578 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of ceramic grades
  • High embodied carbon — 45 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 96% of ceramic grades
  • Heavy — 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), worse than 77% of ceramic grades
  • Low stiffness — 90 GPa (13.1 Msi), worse than 75% of ceramic grades

HfO2 PS properties

Typical room-temperature values for HfO2 PS; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are HfO2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.

Physical4

HfO2 PS has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,758°C (4,996 °F).

Density8.3 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)2,758°C4,996 °F
Refractive Index2.1
Porosity12%

Mechanical10

The elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus90 GPa13.1 Msi
Shear Modulus95 GPa13.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus195 GPa28.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.28
Compressive Strength500 MPa72.5 ksi
Flexural Strength60 MPa8.7 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)1.1 MPa·√m1 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers550 HV
Hardness, Knoop780 HK
Hardness, Mohs6.5

Thermal5

HfO2 PS is rated for continuous service to 2,000°C (3,632 °F). It conducts heat at 1 W/m·K (0.578 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 5.8 µm/m·K (3.22 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity1 W/m·K0.58 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity285 J/kg·K0.07 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)5.8 µm/m·K3.2 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)2,000°C3,632 °F
Min Service Temperature-269°C-452 °F

Electrical5

HfO2 PS is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁸ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10⁸ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁵ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength20 kV/mm508 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)22
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.002
Volume Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 69% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent85/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryVery inert: resists most mineral acids, alkalis, molten metals and hot gases; attacked by HF, hot concentrated H2SO4 and fused alkali; reduced/carburized by carbon and carbonaceous atmospheres above ~1600 °C.

Sustainability2

Producing a kilogram of HfO2 PS takes about 700 MJ of energy and emits 45 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of ceramic grades.

Embodied Energy (primary production)700 MJ/kg300,946 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)45 kg CO₂/kg

Manufacturability3

HfO2 PS's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended5/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature1,750°C3,182 °F

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

Working with HfO2 PS

Is HfO2 easy to machine?

Green/bisque machining is the only economical route; fired parts need diamond grinding, lapping and ultrasonic/laser drilling, and the high density makes stock removal slow and costly.

Can HfO2 be welded?

Not weldable — join by active-metal brazing (Ti/Zr-bearing filler), glass sealing or mechanical clamping with matched-CTE metals.

Can HfO2 be formed, bent or molded?

Uniaxial/CIP pressing, slip casting or tape casting of fine powder, then sintering at 1600–1900 °C (often HIP or a Y2O3/CaO stabilizer); allow for large firing shrinkage and avoid crossing the 1700 °C phase transformation in unstabilized bodies.

What surface finishes work on HfO2?

Diamond lap and polish for optical or sealing faces; PVD/EB evaporation and ALD are the standard routes for thin high-k and high-index films.

HfO2 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
ZrO2Zr is the natural chemical twin of Hf; excluded from the purity figure by most suppliers, nuclear grades specify <1 %≤ 20.3
SiO2≤ 0.050.01
Al2O3≤ 0.050.01
Fe2O3≤ 0.020.01
TiO2≤ 0.020.01
Y2O38–12 mol % added only in the stabilized (YSH) variant≈ 00
HfO2monoclinic (baddeleyite-type) hafnia; purity usually quoted on a Zr-free basis≥ 99.5 (balance)—

HfO2 PS — frequently asked

What is HfO2 PS used for?

HfO2 PS is typically used for ultra-high-temperature coatings, high-k gate dielectrics, thermal barrier layers and nuclear control rods. In short: highest-temperature oxide here; high-k dielectric source; dense and costly.

Is HfO2 PS easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades). Green/bisque machining is the only economical route; fired parts need diamond grinding, lapping and ultrasonic/laser drilling, and the high density makes stock removal slow and costly.

Can HfO2 PS be welded?

Not weldable — join by active-metal brazing (Ti/Zr-bearing filler), glass sealing or mechanical clamping with matched-CTE metals.

What surface finishes work on HfO2 PS?

Diamond lap and polish for optical or sealing faces; PVD/EB evaporation and ALD are the standard routes for thin high-k and high-index films.

Can HfO2 PS be formed, bent or molded?

Uniaxial/CIP pressing, slip casting or tape casting of fine powder, then sintering at 1600–1900 °C (often HIP or a Y2O3/CaO stabilizer); allow for large firing shrinkage and avoid crossing the 1700 °C phase transformation in unstabilized bodies.

What is the maximum service temperature of HfO2 PS?

HfO2 PS is rated for continuous use to about 2,000°C (3,632 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
  2. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics — CRC Press (2020)
  3. NIST-JANAF Thermochemical Tables (HfO2) — NIST (1998)
  4. Phase Diagrams for Ceramists — HfO2–Y2O3 system — American Ceramic Society (1992)
  5. Hafnium oxide sputtering target / evaporation material data — Materion (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.