Unique Material for a Unique Application
By Zircar Zirconia, Inc.
Zircar Zirconia, Inc. has been involved in the aerospace industry for decades. One of our long-
time customers, having a proven record of more than 100 years leading the industry,
manufactures aircraft engines used by widebody airliners such as Airbus, and Boeing, business
jets like Gulfstream and Bombardier, and many US military airplanes.
There is a proprietary metal alloy in which their turbine parts are made. The furnace which
fires these parts, needed an insulation component with very specific characteristics; high heat
resistance, low thermal conductivity, resistance to molten metal, could be used in a reducing
atmosphere, and could last many cycles.
Fibrous ceramics are typically used as hot face and intermediate furnace insulation to slow heat
transfer making the heating chamber very efficient, as well as making the ‘cold side’ safer to the
user. In this application, the material serves that purpose, but also protected from alloy
deposits or splash during casting.
The Zircar Zirconia insulation ZYFB-3, an yttria stabilized zirconia material which filled all of
those requirements, became a vital component in their furnace design. The insulation rings
made from our material are positioned in the furnace to allow for a controlled cooling of the
molten alloy. This process is vital to the integrity of their parts.
For over 50 years, Zircar has produced yttria stabilized zirconia, pure zirconia, alumina, ceria
and yttria felts, cloths and rigid vacuum formed shapes for insulation in crystal growing, powder
metal sintering, fuel cells, furnace construction, quartz working, aerospace and filtration
membranes. Our insulation products stand up to the hottest, most corrosive environments
providing lasting solutions to your biggest challenges.
Zirconium Oxide Fibrous Ceramic Insulation Types ZYFB-3, ZYFB-6 & FBD are rigid refractory structures composed of our own unique ZYBF Bulk Fibers which are highly porous These materials have extremely low thermal conductivity and are rated for use to as high as 2000 °C.
Fibrous zirconia ceramic felt insulation that can withstand temperatures in excess of 2000 °C. Common uses for the material include high temperature gaskets, crucible insulation for induction heating, and electrolytic cell gaskets.
