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Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2),
also known as zirconium oxide and zirconia, is commercially available in two
basic forms: naturally, as the mineral Baddeleyite, and synthetically, as
derived from zircon sand (ZrSiO4).
Historically, the largest source of
the mineral Baddeleyite was from South Africa, then the by-product of
commercial copper, uranium, and phosphate mining. Lesser deposits of
Baddeleyite can be found in Russia & Brasil. These sources are not
considered as viable as the South African source due to higher levels of
impurities & trace radioactive constituents.
Unfortunately,
Baddeleyite availability worldwide has declined dramatically with the cessation
of mining activities in the South African location. Total tonnages are now very
low and this has effectively eliminated Baddeleyite as a meaningful source of
zirconium dioxide in the world marketplace. Synthetic zirconia now makes up the
majority of the worlds supply.
The total consumption of all zirconia was
last estimated to be about 36,000 MT annually. There is substantial installed
capacity for the manufacture of synthetic zirconias, and abundant supplies of
the zircon raw material, as well. |
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