Zircon and zirconia. 2nd Edition

Gold-colored (zircon) is refractory hard and resistant to chemical attack. Its main use is an opacifier conferring a white opaque appearance to ceramic materials and alloying agent. Its compounds are used in many biomedical applications including dental implants knee and hip replacements and middle-ear ossicular chain reconstruction. Zirconium dioxide (zirconia) has exceptional fracture toughness and chemical resistance so it is used as a thermal barrier coating and a common diamond substitute. Also it is used in laboratory crucible metallurgical furnaces grinding wheels sandpaper and as a refractory material. Therefore it is important to study the properties of zirconium and its oxide.