ZrC
ZrC is a refractory transition-metal carbide with high hardness, a high melting point and good electrical conductivity, used as an ultra-high-temperature ceramic and as a coating phase.
Reference datasheet — ZrC 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 HP condition
ZrC tempers and conditions
ZrC is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. HP is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pressureless sintered ZrC, 88–95 % theoretical density | Choose for larger or complex shapes where cost and near-net forming matter more than peak strength; residual porosity lowers strength and conductivity. | 1,700 HV | 16 W/m·K | |||
HPDefault Hot-pressed ZrC, ≥95 % theoretical density | General-purpose dense ZrC billets and plates for UHTC structures, electrodes and tooling inserts. | 2,200 HV | 22 W/m·K | |||
Spark-plasma (field-assisted) sintered, ≥98 % dense fine grain | Pick when maximum hardness, strength and near-full density in a fine-grained body are required (small discs, research UHTC parts). | 2,500 HV | 25 W/m·K |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways ZrC is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CVD | Chemical-vapour-deposited ZrC coating | Coating |
What is ZrC?
ZrC is a refractory transition-metal carbide with high hardness, a high melting point and good electrical conductivity, used as an ultra-high-temperature ceramic and as a coating phase. Engineers select it for TRISO nuclear fuel coatings, UHTC composites and wear-resistant tool and coating applications; it is available hot-pressed, SPS-consolidated, pressureless-sintered and as CVD layers, with density 6.5 g/cm³, elastic modulus 400 GPa and thermal conductivity 22 W/m·K. Service reaches 1800 °C in inert or vacuum conditions, but bare ZrC oxidises to porous ZrO2 above roughly 500 °C in air, so protective SiC or ZrB2-SiC overlays are required. HfB2 or ZrB2-SiC are the alternatives for oxidising service. ZrC has a density of 6.5 g/cm³ (0.235 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,420°C (6,188 °F). The elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi).
What is ZrC used for?
- nuclear TRISO fuel coatings
- UHTC composites
- cutting tool inserts
- wear-resistant coatings
- rocket nozzle liners
Advantages
- High service temperature — 1,800°C (3,272 °F), better than 92% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 77% of ceramic grades
ZrC properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZrC-HP; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
ZrC has a density of 6.5 g/cm³ (0.235 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,420°C (6,188 °F).
Mechanical10
The elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi).
Thermal5
ZrC is rated for continuous service to 1,800°C (3,272 °F). It conducts heat at 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 6.7 µm/m·K (3.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
ZrC has an electrical resistivity of 4.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 77% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of ZrC takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 22 kg of CO₂ — more than 67% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
ZrC's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations2
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. ZrC is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZrC
Is ZrC easy to machine?
Green or pre-sintered bodies can be shaped conventionally; fired ZrC needs diamond grinding, lapping or EDM (it is electrically conductive, so wire/sinker EDM works well).
Can ZrC be welded?
Not weldable; join by active brazing (Ti/Zr-bearing filler), diffusion bonding, or co-sintering with metal or carbide interlayers.
Can ZrC be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by uniaxial/cold-isostatic pressing then hot pressing, SPS or pressureless sintering above 2100 °C; sintering aids (C, B4C, SiC, MoSi2) and low-oxygen powder are needed for density.
ZrC 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ccombined carbon; ZrCx typically x = 0.93–1.00 | 10.8 – 11.7 | 11.6 |
| free Cresidual free carbon from carbothermal reduction | 0 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Ooxygen on powder surfaces; degrades sintering and conductivity | 0 – 0.8 | 0.3 |
| N | 0 – 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Hfnatural Hf accompanies Zr unless nuclear-grade (Hf < 100 ppm) | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Fe | 0 – 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Zr | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZrC?
Diamond polish to a metallic grey mirror; for air service above ~500 °C apply SiC, ZrB2-SiC or iridium overlays, since bare ZrC oxidises to porous ZrO2.
How much does ZrC cost?
ZrC is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
ZrC — frequently asked
What is ZrC used for?
ZrC is typically used for nuclear TRISO fuel coatings, UHTC composites, cutting tool inserts, wear-resistant coatings and rocket nozzle liners. In short: 1800 °C inert-service carbide; conductive, EDM-friendly ceramic; needs oxidation coating.
Is ZrC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades). Green or pre-sintered bodies can be shaped conventionally; fired ZrC needs diamond grinding, lapping or EDM (it is electrically conductive, so wire/sinker EDM works well).
Can ZrC be welded?
Not weldable; join by active brazing (Ti/Zr-bearing filler), diffusion bonding, or co-sintering with metal or carbide interlayers.
What surface finishes work on ZrC?
Diamond polish to a metallic grey mirror; for air service above ~500 °C apply SiC, ZrB2-SiC or iridium overlays, since bare ZrC oxidises to porous ZrO2.
Can ZrC be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by uniaxial/cold-isostatic pressing then hot pressing, SPS or pressureless sintering above 2100 °C; sintering aids (C, B4C, SiC, MoSi2) and low-oxygen powder are needed for density.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZrC?
ZrC is rated for continuous use to about 1,800°C (3,272 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does ZrC cost?
ZrC is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), 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
- Handbook of Refractory Carbides and Nitrides — Noyes / William Andrew (H.O. Pierson) (1996)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Properties of zirconium carbide for nuclear fuel applications (review) — Journal of Nuclear Materials (2013)
- Technical ZrC powder and hot-pressed part datasheets — Chinese advanced-ceramic powder suppliers (2024)
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.