Material characteristics

Zirconium:

A high melting point (1852 ℃), corrosion-resistant metal with strong resistance to acids, bases, salts, etc., commonly used in chemical equipment or nuclear industry.

Pure zirconium cups are rare due to the high cost and difficulty in processing metal zirconium.

Zirconia (ZrO ₂):

The more common zirconium cup material has ultra-high hardness, wear resistance, and high temperature resistance (melting point of about 2700 ℃).

It often exists in the form of stabilized zirconia (such as yttrium stabilized zirconia, YSZ) to avoid changes in crystal structure at high temperatures.

Main purpose

Laboratory utensils:

Used for high-temperature experiments (such as melting and burning), replacing quartz or ceramic crucibles, with higher temperature resistance and better thermal shock resistance.

Strong chemical inertness, suitable for handling strong acids (excluding hydrofluoric acid), strong bases, or corrosive samples.

Industrial applications:

High temperature containers or electrode materials in metallurgy, ceramics, and glass industries.

Zirconia alloy is used as a fuel rod cladding material in the nuclear industry.

Jewelry and Decorations:

Zirconia (cubic zirconia, CZ) is often used as a diamond imitation, but these "zircon cups" are more of a marketing name and may actually be ordinary ceramics or glass.