Zircar Zirconia

Zircar Zirconia, Inc. employs the original "ZIRCAR PROCESS" to manufacture yttria-stabilized zirconia fibers, textiles, and rigid insulating boards and cylinders. Additional fiber products include:

• High alumina (Al₂O₃)
• Hafnia (HfO₂)
• Ceria (CeO₂)
• Rare earth oxide

fibers produced with this unique method. Custom machining and construction of fiber insulation assemblies are offered.

The unique refractory properties found in both yttria-stabilized zirconia fiber and alumina-bonded alumina fiber products enable them to endure corrosive environments in which other varieties of insulation fail. Applications include:

1. Molten Carbonate fuel cell gaskets where zirconia felt is exposed to high concentrations of hot LiCO₃ and shows no signs of degradation.
2. Zirconia Cloth Type ZYK-15H, another unique material, used as a battery separator in nickel-hydrogen and nickel-cadmium batteries. Type ZYK-15H exhibits virtually no loss in strength after prolonged exposure to hot KOH.
3. Zirconia Felt Type ZYF-100 is also utilized as thermal insulation in numerous high-temperature crystal growth applications. In these systems, corrosive salt vapors can attack other insulation materials making the desired thermal gradient difficult to achieve.
4. Alumina bonded alumina fiber boards are used in SOFC stacks, hydrogen furnaces, and other applications where much insulation fails due to its silica content.