YSZ 3YSZ
Grade
3YSZ = 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.
Values for the 3YSZ condition
Other YSZ tempers and conditions
YSZ is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at YSZ.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3YSZThis page 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 |
What is YSZ 3YSZ?
YSZ 3YSZ is YSZ in the 3YSZ grade — pick when mechanical strength and toughness dominate — sensor housings, ferrules, blades, dental and pump parts — accepting much lower ionic conductivity and LTD risk. YSZ 3YSZ has a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi), stronger than 76% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). YSZ 3YSZ 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). 8YSZ is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 3YSZ is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 89% of ceramic grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 81% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 2.7 W/m·K (1.56 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of ceramic grades
YSZ 3YSZ properties
Typical room-temperature values for YSZ 3YSZ; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are YSZ reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical4
YSZ 3YSZ 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
YSZ 3YSZ has a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi), stronger than 76% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal5
YSZ 3YSZ 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).
Electrical3
YSZ 3YSZ has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 81% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of YSZ 3YSZ 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 3YSZ's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with YSZ 3YSZ
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.
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.
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 | — |
YSZ 3YSZ — frequently asked
What is YSZ 3YSZ used for?
YSZ 3YSZ 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 3YSZ?
YSZ 3YSZ has a typical tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 76% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is YSZ 3YSZ easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% 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 3YSZ 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 3YSZ?
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 3YSZ 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 3YSZ?
YSZ 3YSZ 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
- 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.