YSZ
YSZ is yttria-stabilised zirconia, an oxygen-ion-conducting ceramic in which the yttria level sets the balance between ionic conductivity (8YSZ, 10YSZ) and toughness (3YSZ, 5YSZ), with 7YSZ-TBC used as the thermal-barrier composition.
Reference datasheet — YSZ 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 8YSZ condition
YSZ tempers and conditions
YSZ is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. 8YSZ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 mol% Y₂O₃ tetragonal polycrystal | Pick when mechanical strength and toughness dominate — sensor housings, ferrules, blades, dental and pump parts — accepting much lower ionic conductivity and LTD risk. | 450 | 1,250 HV | 3 W/m·K | ||
5 mol% Y₂O₃ partially stabilized | Compromise grade: better conductivity and thermal-shock/ageing behaviour than 3YSZ, better strength than 8YSZ — used for sensor bodies and thicker electrolyte supports. | 1,280 HV | 2 W/m·K | |||
8YSZDefault 8 mol% Y₂O₃, fully stabilized cubic electrolyte | Pick for SOFC electrolyte membranes, oxygen sensors and oxygen pumps where maximum oxygen-ion conductivity matters more than strength. | 1,300 HV | 2 W/m·K | |||
10 mol% Y₂O₃ fully stabilized cubic | Pick for long-term high-temperature electrolyte service where phase stability and low conductivity degradation over thousands of hours outweigh peak conductivity. | 1,300 HV | 2 W/m·K |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways YSZ is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
7YSZ-TBC | 7–8 wt% Y₂O₃ plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coating | Surface finish |
What is YSZ?
YSZ is yttria-stabilised zirconia, an oxygen-ion-conducting ceramic in which the yttria level sets the balance between ionic conductivity (8YSZ, 10YSZ) and toughness (3YSZ, 5YSZ), with 7YSZ-TBC used as the thermal-barrier composition. It is specified as the functional element in automotive lambda/oxygen sensors and solid-oxide fuel cells, and is supplied as tape-cast electrolyte foils 5–200 µm thick, pressed discs, tubes and injection-moulded parts. Density 5.95 g/cm³, modulus 200 GPa, thermal conductivity 2.2 W/m·K, service to 1500 °C and corrosion resistance 92/100. Fired parts machine only by diamond methods (machinability 5/100) and are not weldable. YSZ has a density of 5.95 g/cm³ (0.215 lb/in³), heavier than 64% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,700°C (4,892 °F). YSZ has a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), stronger than 51% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is YSZ used for?
- automotive oxygen sensors
- solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes
- gas sensors
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 89% of ceramic grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 88% of ceramic grades
- High service temperature — 1,500°C (2,732 °F), better than 80% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 2.2 W/m·K (1.27 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of ceramic grades
YSZ properties
Typical room-temperature values for YSZ-8YSZ; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical4
YSZ has a density of 5.95 g/cm³ (0.215 lb/in³), heavier than 64% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,700°C (4,892 °F).
Mechanical12
YSZ has a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), stronger than 51% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal5
YSZ is rated for continuous service to 1,500°C (2,732 °F). It conducts heat at 2.2 W/m·K (1.27 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 10.3 µm/m·K (5.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
YSZ has an electrical resistivity of 1×10⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 88% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of YSZ takes about 130 MJ of energy and emits 9 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
YSZ's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% 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. YSZ is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with YSZ
Is YSZ easy to machine?
Machine green or bisque bodies with carbide tooling allowing ~20–25 % sinter shrinkage; fired YSZ requires diamond grinding, lapping or laser/ultrasonic machining.
Can YSZ be welded?
Not weldable — join by active-metal brazing (Ag-Cu-Ti), glass-ceramic seals (typical for SOFC stacks) or metallized Pt/Ni layers.
Can YSZ be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by tape casting (electrolyte foils 5–200 µm), uniaxial/CIP pressing, injection moulding or screen printing, then sintered 1350–1550 °C in air.
YSZ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Y2O38 mol% Y₂O₃ ≈ 13.7 wt% for the default grade; 3YSZ ≈ 5.2 wt%, 10YSZ ≈ 16.8 wt% | 13 – 15 | 13.7 |
| HfO2natural companion of zirconia, not removed | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Al2O3optional sintering aid / ageing suppressant | 0 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| SiO2impurity, degrades grain-boundary conductivity | 0 – 0.05 | 0.02 |
| ZrO2 | balance |
What surface finishes work on YSZ?
Takes a mirror polish with diamond slurries; electrodes applied as screen-printed Pt or Ni-YSZ/LSM cermet pastes fired at 900–1300 °C.
How much does YSZ cost?
YSZ is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
YSZ — frequently asked
What is YSZ used for?
YSZ is typically used for automotive oxygen sensors, solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes and gas sensors. In short: standard oxygen-ion electrolyte; service to 1500 °C; diamond machining only.
What is the tensile strength of YSZ?
YSZ has a typical tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) — stronger than 51% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is YSZ easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades). Machine green or bisque bodies with carbide tooling allowing ~20–25 % sinter shrinkage; fired YSZ requires diamond grinding, lapping or laser/ultrasonic machining.
Can YSZ be welded?
Not weldable — join by active-metal brazing (Ag-Cu-Ti), glass-ceramic seals (typical for SOFC stacks) or metallized Pt/Ni layers.
What surface finishes work on YSZ?
Takes a mirror polish with diamond slurries; electrodes applied as screen-printed Pt or Ni-YSZ/LSM cermet pastes fired at 900–1300 °C.
Can YSZ be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by tape casting (electrolyte foils 5–200 µm), uniaxial/CIP pressing, injection moulding or screen printing, then sintered 1350–1550 °C in air.
What is the maximum service temperature of YSZ?
YSZ is rated for continuous use to about 1,500°C (2,732 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does YSZ cost?
YSZ is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), 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
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Zirconia (YSZ) powder and ceramic component data — Tosoh Corporation (2023)
- Zirconia technical ceramics datasheet — CoorsTek (2022)
- ASTM C1421 / ISO 13356 (yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia ceramics) — ASTM / ISO (2015)
- Solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte property compilations — NIST / open literature (2020)
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.