Zirconia Y-TZP
also Y-TZP, Yttria Stabilized Zirconia
Zirconia Y-TZP is a tetragonal zirconia polycrystal stabilised with about 3 mol % Y₂O₃ and toughened by the stress-induced tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation.
Reference datasheet — Zirconia Y-TZP 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 Sintered condition
Zirconia Y-TZP tempers and conditions
Zirconia Y-TZP is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. Sintered is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SinteredDefault pressureless sintered 3Y-TZP | Pick the pressureless-sintered condition as the default for most wear, structural and insulating parts: 450 MPa strength at the lowest cost, with more residual porosity than HIPed material. | 450 | 1,250 HV | 3 W/m·K | ||
Hot isostatic pressed | Choose sintering followed by hot isostatic pressing when strength must reach 550 MPa with minimum defects and the best polished surface, as in femoral heads, sealing faces and fiber-optic ferrules. | 550 | 1,300 HV | 3 W/m·K |
What is Zirconia Y-TZP?
Zirconia Y-TZP is a tetragonal zirconia polycrystal stabilised with about 3 mol % Y₂O₃ and toughened by the stress-induced tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation. It has the highest flexural strength (about 900–1400 MPa) and fracture toughness (8–10 MPa·√m) of the engineering ceramics, with 450 MPa tensile strength, 210 GPa modulus and 6.05 g/cm³ density, supplied sintered or HIPed. Thermal conductivity is only 2–3 W/m·K so thermal shock resistance is poor, humid service at 200–400 °C causes low-temperature degradation (LTD) with surface monoclinic transformation and strength loss, and long-term use should stay below 900–1000 °C. Alumina 99.5 suits higher temperatures. Zirconia Y-TZP 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). Zirconia Y-TZP 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).
What is Zirconia Y-TZP used for?
- Cutting and shearing blades
- Pump plungers and valve components
- Fibre-optic ferrules
- Wire drawing dies
- Ball valve balls
- Dental crowns and restorations
- Wear liners and guides
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 95/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 9 MPa·√m (8.19 ksi·√in), better than 82% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 2.5 W/m·K (1.44 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of ceramic grades
Zirconia Y-TZP properties
Typical room-temperature values for Zirconia Y-TZP-Sintered; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical4
Zirconia Y-TZP 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
Zirconia Y-TZP 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
Zirconia Y-TZP is rated for continuous service to 1,000°C (1,832 °F). It conducts heat at 2.5 W/m·K (1.44 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 10.3 µm/m·K (5.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Zirconia Y-TZP is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 12 kV/mm (304.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (95/100), better than 97% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Zirconia Y-TZP takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — less than 62% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 1%.
Manufacturability3
Zirconia Y-TZP'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. Zirconia Y-TZP is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Zirconia Y-TZP
Is Zirconia Y-TZP easy to machine?
After sintering, only diamond wheels, ultrasonic or laser processing apply (machinability score 4). Soft-machine in the green or bisque (white) state with carbide tooling wherever possible and allow about 20–25 % sintering shrinkage.
Can Zirconia Y-TZP be welded?
Not weldable. Attach to metal by active-metal brazing (Ti or Ag-Cu-Ti), Mo-Mn metallization followed by brazing, or by adhesive bonding and interference fits.
Can Zirconia Y-TZP be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by dry or isostatic pressing, slip casting, tape casting, ceramic injection moulding (CIM) or photopolymer 3D printing, then pressureless sintering at 1350–1550 °C with optional HIP densification.
Zirconia Y-TZP 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Y2O3≈3 mol% stabilizer | 4.5 – 6 | 5.2 |
| Al2O3sintering aid / anti-ageing addition | 0 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| HfO2natural companion of zircon ore, usually counted as ZrO2 | 1 – 3 | 2 |
| SiO2 | 0 – 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Fe2O3 | 0 – 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Na2O | 0 – 0.05 | 0.02 |
| ZrO2balance (includes HfO2) | balance |
What surface finishes work on Zirconia Y-TZP?
Diamond grinding and polishing reach a mirror finish below 0.02 µm Ra. Avoid grinding heat and residual tensile stress; a low-temperature anneal after grinding removes surface monoclinic phase and restores strength.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Zirconia Y-TZP in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Y-TZPYttria Stabilized Zirconia
How much does Zirconia Y-TZP cost?
Zirconia Y-TZP is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 98% 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.
Zirconia Y-TZP — frequently asked
What is Zirconia Y-TZP used for?
Zirconia Y-TZP is typically used for cutting and shearing blades, pump plungers and valve components, fibre-optic ferrules, wire drawing dies, ball valve balls and dental crowns and restorations. In short: toughest engineering ceramic.
What is the tensile strength of Zirconia Y-TZP?
Zirconia Y-TZP has a typical tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 76% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Zirconia Y-TZP easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). After sintering, only diamond wheels, ultrasonic or laser processing apply (machinability score 4). Soft-machine in the green or bisque (white) state with carbide tooling wherever possible and allow about 20–25 % sintering shrinkage.
Can Zirconia Y-TZP be welded?
Not weldable. Attach to metal by active-metal brazing (Ti or Ag-Cu-Ti), Mo-Mn metallization followed by brazing, or by adhesive bonding and interference fits.
What surface finishes work on Zirconia Y-TZP?
Diamond grinding and polishing reach a mirror finish below 0.02 µm Ra. Avoid grinding heat and residual tensile stress; a low-temperature anneal after grinding removes surface monoclinic phase and restores strength.
Can Zirconia Y-TZP be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by dry or isostatic pressing, slip casting, tape casting, ceramic injection moulding (CIM) or photopolymer 3D printing, then pressureless sintering at 1350–1550 °C with optional HIP densification.
What is the maximum service temperature of Zirconia Y-TZP?
Zirconia Y-TZP 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 Zirconia Y-TZP cost?
Zirconia Y-TZP is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 98% 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)
- CoorsTek YTZP / Zirconia Material Properties — CoorsTek (2023)
- Kyocera Fine Ceramics — Zirconia (Z-201N/Z-701) — Kyocera (2022)
- Tosoh Zirconia Powder TZ-3Y Series Technical Bulletin — Tosoh Corporation (2021)
- ISO 13356 — Implants for surgery: Ceramic materials based on yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) — ISO (2015)
- ASTM C1161 — Flexural Strength of Advanced Ceramics at Ambient Temperature — ASTM (2018)
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.