Follow 
It features simple equipment and processes as well as low production costs. Moreover, it is easy to obtain high-purity nano-scale ultra-fine powder. Currently, most domestic zirconia manufacturers adopt this method due to its ease of control.
It fails to resolve the problem of hard agglomeration of ultra-fine powder. The powder has poor dispersibility and low sintering activity, resulting in an extended sintering time.
The hydrolysis precipitation method is divided into two types: zirconium salt hydrolysis precipitation and zirconium alkoxide hydrolysis precipitation.
This method is relatively simple and convenient to operate.
It requires a long reaction time (> 48 hours) and consumes substantial energy. In addition, the resulting powder tends to agglomerate.
The product consists almost entirely of primary particles with minimal agglomeration. The particles exhibit uniform size and shape with negligible property deviations. It also offers excellent chemical purity and phase structure uniformity.
The raw material preparation process is relatively complex, leading to high production costs.
The zirconia ceramic powder produced is extremely fine with a narrow particle size distribution, reaching the nanometer scale. This method eliminates the need for high-temperature calcination and yields powder with low agglomeration.
The equipment is complex and expensive, resulting in high production costs. The reaction conditions are harsh, making it difficult to achieve large-scale industrial production.
The sol-gel method is a widely adopted technique for preparing ultra-fine powder. It mainly relies on the colloid dispersion system to form a stable sol of Zr(OH)₄ colloidal particles (less than tens of nanometers) for zirconia ceramics. The sol is then appropriately treated to form a gel containing a large amount of water, which is subsequently dried, dehydrated, and calcined to produce zirconia ultra-fine powder.
| Key Indicator | Technical Parameter | Advantage Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| ZrO₂ + Y₂O₃ Purity | ≥99.9% | Minimizes impurity-induced cracks in ceramics |
| Y₂O₃ Doping Content | 3mol% - 8mol% (Customizable) | Adjusts phase stability for different ceramic applications |
| Average Particle Size (D50) | 0.2μm - 2.0μm | Ensures uniform sintering and dense ceramic structure |
| Bulk Density | 1.2g/cm³ - 1.8g/cm³ | Optimizes powder flowability during molding |
| Specific Surface Area | 10m²/g - 30m²/g | Enhances reactivity and sintering activity |
| Impurity Content (Fe₂O₃ + SiO₂) | ≤0.05% | Guarantees excellent mechanical and chemical properties |
The Coprecipitation Method is currently the most widely adopted by domestic manufacturers due to its simple equipment, low production costs, and straightforward process control.
The Sol-Gel method produces ultra-fine powders with homogeneous chemical composition at the molecular scale, which significantly enhances sintering activity and lowers the required sintering temperature by 400–500℃.
Y₂O₃ acts as a stabilizer (typically 3mol% to 8mol%) to adjust phase stability, preventing catastrophic volume expansion during cooling and enhancing toughness for structural ceramic applications.
While it yields extremely fine nano-scale powders with low agglomeration, the method requires complex, costly equipment and harsh reaction conditions, making large-scale production difficult.
A uniform average particle size (between 0.2μm and 2.0μm) ensures consistent heat distribution during sintering, resulting in high structural density and preventing micro-cracks.
