Plasma Arc Method
This is a most advanced technique for making very fine sub micron size Zirconia Powder. In this process, the washed, magneted zircon sand is pulverised to a certain particle size. The pulverised sand particles are injected into a plasma reactor where intensive heat is maintained to the level of more than 1750oC. The plasma reaction makes the Zircon particle to melt and dissociate into Zirconia and Silica. The dissociated material is quenched rapidly to arrest the recombination of Zirconia and Silica to form Zirconium silicate.
The special advanced technique of rapid cooling of the dissociated melt helps to form very fine and sub micron size and almost very uniform size Zirconia Crystal Particles. The Plasma Arc method produced Zirconia Powder is very costly because of the operational cost and hence used for special applications only.
To be contd….
