- Calcium zirconate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CaZrO₃, composed of calcium (Ca²⁺), zirconium (Zr⁴⁺), and oxygen ions.
- It crystallizes in the orthorhombic perovskite structure and typically appears as a white or off-white refractory powder or ceramic material. Calcium zirconate is known for its thermal stability, chemical inertness, and high melting point (around 2,435 °C), making it especially valuable in high-temperature industrial applications.
- One of the primary uses of calcium zirconate is in refractory materials and ceramics. It is commonly employed in the linings of furnaces, kilns, and crucibles used for metal smelting and glass manufacturing, where it serves as a protective barrier against extreme temperatures and corrosive slags. Its stability in oxidizing and reducing environments, as well as its resistance to chemical attack by molten metals and fluxes, makes it particularly suitable for applications involving steel, non-ferrous metals, and glass.
- In electronic and electrochemical applications, calcium zirconate is explored as a dielectric material and a solid oxide electrolyte. Due to its perovskite structure, it exhibits interesting electrical properties, including proton conductivity at elevated temperatures, which has led to research into its potential use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and oxygen sensors. Its compatibility with other ceramic oxides allows it to be integrated into complex composite materials for advanced energy technologies.
- Additionally, calcium zirconate is used as a stabilizing agent for zirconia-based ceramics. When added to zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), it helps maintain the cubic or tetragonal phases of zirconia, which are desirable for their mechanical strength, thermal shock resistance, and ionic conductivity. This is particularly beneficial in applications such as thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for turbine blades and high-performance structural ceramics.
- Due to its biocompatibility and inertness, calcium zirconate is also being studied for potential biomedical applications, including dental materials and orthopedic implants, where materials must endure physiological conditions without degradation or adverse biological responses.
