Shigeo Endo

An application of monoclinic ZrO2 to some refractories.

It is widely believed that ZrO2 refractory can not be available without being stabilized or partially stabilized because of its large volume change derived from its monoclinic-tetragonl-cubic transition. This concept can generally be acceptable in fired refractory where monoclinic-tetragonal transition occures reciprocatingly during firing process. On the contrary, the concept can not necessary be acceptable in fusion cast refractory because aforementioned transition can only once be experienced unreciprocatingly during cooling process from melt to solid and also this transition is not accompanied with volume contraction causing tensile stress. Authors, on the basis of up-dated data and informations, give a commentary on the monoclinic ZrO2 refractory which is now widely applied in glass industries.