Dubbed ‘ceramic steel’, Zirconia (Zro2) ceramic offers a combination of high hardness, wear and corrosion resistance, while exhibiting one of the highest fracture toughness values among all ceramic materials.There are several grades of Zirconia available –, the most common of which are Yttria Partially Stabilized Zirconia (Y-PSZ) and Magnesia Partially Stabilized Zirconia (Mg-PSZ). Both of these materials offer excellent properties. However, the operating environment and design will dictate which grade may be suitable for specific applications. Its high thermal expansion and unique resistance to crack propagation make it an excellent material for joining with metals like steel.