8 Application Fields of Zirconia Ceramics

Huit grands domaines d’application de la céramique de zircone dans la vie quotidienne

Zirconia ceramics are widely used in modern industry and daily life. Let’s briefly introduce its main application areas.

1、 3C electronic fields such as mobile phones

Zirconia ceramics are widely used in 3C electronic fields such as mobile phones due to their advantages of no signal shielding, Anti chute, Résistance à l’usure, résistance au pliage, Aspect chaud et lisse, et bonne sensation de la main. Mainly used as a mobile phone backplane and other mobile phone structural components.

2、 Intelligent wearable field

Compared with metals, zirconia ceramics have better wear resistance, smooth surface, good texture, and no oxidation. Famous Swiss brands such as Radar, Apple, and Chanel have all launched high-end ceramic watches.

3、 Optical communication field

Actuellement, ceramic inserts and sleeves are widely used in fiber optic connectors. Ceramic ferrules made of high-strength and high toughness ceramics not only meet high-precision requirements, but also have a long service life and extremely low insertion and return losses.

4、 Biomedical field

Zirconia ceramic materials are widely used in the biomedical field as dental restorative materials and surgical tools due to their high strength, high toughness, résistance à la corrosion, Résistance à l’usure, and good biocompatibility.

5、 Automotive sector

Zirconia ceramics have small thermal conductivity and relatively large coefficient of thermal expansion, so the components used to manufacture engine combustion chambers have good thermal insulation performance, and are close to metal materials in terms of thermal expansion. Can be used as cylinder head base plate, cylinder liner, piston crown, valve seat ring, etc. Toutefois, due to the harsh working conditions of the engine, the strength of ceramic components varies greatly at high temperatures, so there is still some distance from commercial application.

6、 Jewelry field

High precision ceramics and precious metal alloy powders are mixed and fired, undergo several precise and strict processes, and are polished by multiple machines, ultimately integrated into jewelry design. This type of ceramic is not only lightweight and wear-resistant, but also has the characteristics of resistance to sensitivity, making it comfortable to wear. It is currently one of the most fashionable jewelry materials and is favored by major jewelry brands. Many luxury brands such as the Bulgari Classic B.Zero1 and Save The Children series, Chanel Ultra series, Cartier, etc. have used ceramic materials in their jewelry.

7、 Field of daily life

Ceramics are the heritage of thousands of years of Chinese culture. In addition to the above applications, ceramics are also ubiquitous in our daily lives. Ceramics have the characteristics of high temperature resistance, résistance à la corrosion, résistance à l’oxydation, Haute résistance, abrasion resistance and natural antibacterial, and can be used as bowls, spoons, vases, ceramic knives, etc.

8、 Other fields

Zirconia ceramics have good mechanical properties, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and can be used as ceramic bearings or ceramic tools. Meanwhile, zirconia ceramics are weakly acidic oxides that can resist the erosion of acidic or neutral slag (but can be eroded by alkaline slag), and can be made into refractory crucibles for metallurgy. The high strength, high toughness, and corrosion resistance of zirconia ceramics also make them have certain applications in fields such as petroleum, génie chimique, machinerie, l'aviation, etc.

Zirconia is tougher than alumina — where alumina is the workpiece, the reference process is découpe de précision de l'alumine.

Questions fréquemment posées

What are the main application fields of zirconia ceramics?

Eight major ones: 3C electronics such as mobile phone backplanes, intelligent wearables like ceramic watches, optical communication ferrules, biomedical dental and surgical products, automotive engine components, joaillerie, daily-life items like ceramic knives and tableware, and industrial uses such as ceramic bearings, tools and refractory crucibles.

Why is zirconia ceramic used in mobile phones and watches?

Because it does not shield signals and offers drop resistance, Résistance à l’usure, folding resistance and a warm, smooth feel. Compared with metals it has better wear resistance, a smooth surface and no oxidation — which is why brands like Radar, Apple and Chanel use it in high-end watches.

What role does zirconia ceramic play in optical communication?

Ceramic ferrules and sleeves made of high-strength, high-toughness zirconia are widely used in fiber optic connectors. They meet high-precision requirements, have a long service life, and deliver extremely low insertion and return losses.

Can zirconia ceramics be used in car engines?

Zirconia has low thermal conductivity and a thermal expansion coefficient close to metals, making it suitable for combustion chamber components such as cylinder head base plates, cylinder liners, piston crowns and valve seat rings. Toutefois, because ceramic strength varies greatly at high temperatures under harsh engine conditions, commercial application is still some distance away.

Examiné par l'équipe d'ingénierie Ensoll.