What is a ZTA ceramic seal ring used for?

ZTA seal rings are used in pumps, valves, metering equipment and mechanical seal assemblies. They may be considered when an existing alumina ring shows edge chipping or when the application requires a different balance of wear resistance and toughness.

How do I choose between ZTA and other seal ring materials?

Compare materials using the same ring geometry, counter-face and operating conditions. ZTA: consider for applications requiring wear resistance and resistance to edge chipping. Alumina: consider for stable, low-impact service where cost matters. Y-TZP zirconia: consider where toughness is a priority. Silicon carbide: consider for demanding wear or chemical exposure, with grade-specific compatibility checks.

Can ADCERAX make ZTA seal rings from my drawing, sample or old part?

Yes. Send a drawing, sample or scaled photographs. Useful information includes ID, OD, height and sealing-band width; grooves, chamfers and mounting features; face flatness, surface roughness and tolerances; counter-face material and operating conditions. A worn sample can support an initial review, with the original geometry confirmed before production.

How should I photograph an old ring for a replacement inquiry?

Photograph both faces, the bore, steps and grooves beside a scale. Include the housing seat, mating parts and installed ring position. Mark the sealing face and distinguish worn areas from intact reference surfaces. A measured sketch or CAD model of the housing seat also helps confirm the fit.

What face finish, flatness and tolerance should I specify?

Set these requirements around the counter-face, lubrication and leakage target. Identify on the drawing the working face and datum references; face flatness and surface roughness; ID, OD, height and dimensional tolerances; and the inspection method and acceptance limits. Confirm the final requirements during drawing review.

Custom ZTA Ceramic Seal Ring for Pumps & Valves

What Is a ZTA Ceramic Seal Ring?

ZTA ceramic seal rings are made from zirconia toughened alumina — an alumina matrix with dispersed zirconia that keeps alumina's hardness and chemical stability while resisting edge chipping better than plain alumina. They run as rotating faces, stationary faces, valve seats and static seal rings in pumps, valves and metering equipment, where the sealing face must stay flat and stable through abrasive particles, chemical cleaning and repeated start-stop.

Choose What You Need

A quotation can cover three scopes, from the ceramic ring alone to a complete seal assembly:

Scope	What to include	What gets confirmed
Ceramic ring only	Ring role (rotating or stationary face, valve seat, static seal), ID/OD/height, face profile and finish, steps, grooves, chamfers and edge details.	Finished ring geometry, dimensional tolerances, face flatness and surface condition, per your drawing.
Matched ceramic pair	The ring plus counter-face material, contact geometry, motion (rotating or static) and lubrication.	The paired faces and their contact behavior, reviewed under your application conditions.
Complete seal assembly	Ring pair plus seat, auxiliary seal (O-ring), loading hardware and the components listed in your bill of materials.	Assembly behavior under your equipment operating conditions.

Start with the ceramic ring drawing. The counter-face callout and the hardware in your bill of materials complete the picture for the other two scopes.

ZTA Ceramic Seal Ring Specifications

ZTA Ceramic Seal Ring
Item No.	Length(mm)	Width(mm)
AT-ZTA-ZZ001	Customize

Download Size Guide

ZTA Material Grades for Ceramic Seal Rings — Typical Selection Values

The ZTA material system is defined by five product-grade codes. The table below lists typical selection values from ADCERAX's ZTA material table; they are material references for grade selection, not finished seal-ring specifications.

Property	AD-ZTA-10	AD-ZTA-20-P	AD-ZTA-20-CIM	AD-ZTA-40	AD-ZTA-ROD
Product form / forming route	Injection-moulded parts	Dry-pressed / CIP plate	Injection-moulded parts	Injection-moulded parts	Rod/shaft
Bulk density (g/cm³)	4.25	4.20	≥4.25	≥4.80	~4.3
Flexural strength (MPa)	≥700	500	≥800	650	~896
Vickers hardness (HV)	2000	1650	1800	1500	Not listed
Color	White	White / off-white	White	White	Drawing-defined

How to Choose a ZTA Ceramic Seal Ring

1. Identify the Ring’s Role

Define whether the ring serves as a rotating face, stationary face, valve seat or static seal.

Check:

Which component rotates
Axial or radial sealing direction
Single-ring or paired-ring configuration

Confirm both the sealing face and mounting interface for the intended role.

2. Specify the Counter-Face

Define the mating surface and how the faces work together.

Provide:

Counter-face material: ceramic, silicon carbide, carbon or metal
Surface roughness
Spring or bellows load
Lubrication condition

3. Define the Operating Medium

Record the fluid, concentration or pH, and operating temperature.

Check:

Particle size and solids content
Flushing or clean-in-place cycles
Dry-running risk

Include these conditions when reviewing face finish and edge geometry.

4. Specify Face Finish and Flatness

Choose as-ground, lapped or polished surfaces to suit the counter-face and sealing requirements.

Include on the drawing:

Face flatness and roughness
Inspection method and reference
Allowable face wear

Provide: The leakage acceptance method and limits.

5. Confirm the Material Grade and Forming Route

Review the application and any existing drawing or purchase specification before selecting the ZTA grade.

Check:

Current failure mode, including edge chipping or wear
Impact and thermal-cycle conditions
Temperature and chemical exposure

Confirm the grade, forming route and material certificate requirements on the order.

6. Agree on Acceptance Requirements

Specify whether acceptance applies to the material, individual ring or assembled seal.

Provide:

Critical dimensions and sealing-face requirements
Sampling plan
Applicable test methods, including leakage testing
Reference temperature and acceptance limits

Zirconia Toughened Alumina Seal Ring Packaging

Packing is planned around the ordered ring geometry and quantity. Finished sealing faces, lapped edges and locating steps are protected individually, and the packing method is confirmed in the purchase specification when the ring is large, thin-walled or supplied as a matched pair.

ZTA Ceramic Seal Ring Applications: Pumps, Valves and Metering

ZTA ceramic seal rings are reviewed for pump, valve, metering and abrasive-service assemblies where the sealing face must resist wear, chipping and dimensional drift. Each application is assessed by medium, pressure, temperature, counter-face material, O-ring type, lubrication and replacement history.

Pump Mechanical Seals

Rotating or stationary faces in centrifugal, magnetic-drive, metering and slurry pumps. The selection depends on shaft and housing geometry, counter-face, particles, pressure, speed and the prior failure mode.
Valve and Flow-Control Seats

Valve-seat and static sealing rings, including pressure direction and anti-rotation features. Seat profile, groove or locator, medium, pressure cycle and the leakage acceptance method drive the drawing.
Metering and Dosing Equipment

Faces or seats inside dosing pumps and fluid-control modules, where stable ID/OD control, a polished face and chip-resistant edges matter. Fluid, concentration, mating materials, start-stop duty and face finish set the review.Abrasive Slurry and Powder Processing Equipment
Slurry and Abrasive Service

Contact faces and edges in slurry, grinding, milling and mixing equipment. Particle size and solids loading, flushing, counter-face, the old part's wear pattern and the inspection interval are the inputs that change the design.

ZTA Ceramic Seal Ring Usage Instructions

Install

1. Inspect mating surfaces: Check the sealing face, housing seat, O-ring groove and counter-face for damage or contamination.
2. Verify the drawing: Confirm ID, OD, height, flatness, chamfers and locating features.
3. Protect the sealing face: Keep lapped or polished surfaces clean and free of scratches.
4. Align the assembly: Tighten the housing evenly and confirm rotating and stationary ring positions before final assembly.
Operation

1. Follow the equipment instructions: Use the specified break-in, lubrication and flushing procedures.
2. Confirm compatibility: Check the counter-face, O-ring and process medium.
3. Monitor performance: Watch for leakage, temperature rise, noise and vibration during initial operation.
4. Plan inspections: Check sealing faces at agreed intervals in abrasive or corrosive service.
Cleaning

1. Choose a compatible cleaner: Use deionized water, neutral detergent or a solvent suitable for the residue and mating materials.
2. Avoid surface damage: Keep abrasive pads, wire brushes and hard tools away from sealing faces.
3. Inspect before reuse: Dry with lint-free material and check for scratches, chips, residue or abnormal wear.
Storage

1. Protect rings individually: Use soft sleeves or separate compartments.
2. Prevent contact damage: Avoid direct stacking, ceramic-to-ceramic contact and impact from metal parts.
3. Maintain traceability: Store rings clean and dry with their part labels, drawing revisions and inspection records.
Handling Precautions

1. Avoid force and impact: Do not drop, strike or pry the ceramic ring.
2. Check assembly components: Confirm compatibility before combining different ceramic materials. Replace damaged O-rings or deformed gaskets, and clean contaminated seats.
3. Stop if problems appear: Investigate abnormal leakage, heating or vibration before continuing operation.

ZTA Ceramic Seal Ring FAQs

Q: What is a ZTA ceramic seal ring used for?
A: ZTA seal rings are used in pumps, valves, metering equipment and mechanical seal assemblies. They may be considered when an existing alumina ring shows edge chipping or when the application requires a different balance of wear resistance and toughness.
Q: How do I choose between ZTA and other seal ring materials?
A: Compare materials using the same ring geometry, counter-face and operating conditions:
a. TA: Consider for applications requiring wear resistance and resistance to edge chipping.
b. Alumina: Consider for stable, low-impact service where cost matters.
c. Y-TZP zirconia: Consider where toughness is a priority.
d. Silicon carbide: Consider for demanding wear or chemical exposure, with grade-specific compatibility checks.
Q: Can ADCERAX make ZTA seal rings from my drawing, sample or old part?
A: Yes. Send a drawing, sample or scaled photographs.
Useful information includes:
a. ID, OD, height and sealing-band width
b. Grooves, chamfers and mounting features
c. Face flatness, surface roughness and tolerances
d. Counter-face material and operating conditions
A worn sample can support an initial review, with the original geometry confirmed before production.
Q: How should I photograph an old ring for a replacement inquiry?
A: a. Photograph both faces, the bore, steps and grooves beside a scale.
b. Include the housing seat, mating parts and installed ring position.
c. Mark the sealing face and distinguish worn areas from intact reference surfaces.
A measured sketch or CAD model of the housing seat also helps confirm the fit.
Q: What face finish, flatness and tolerance should I specify?
A: Set these requirements around the counter-face, lubrication and leakage target.
Identify the following on the drawing:
a. Working face and datum references
b. Face flatness and surface roughness
c. ID, OD, height and dimensional tolerances
d. Inspection method and acceptance limits
Confirm the final requirements during drawing review.

Catalog No.	AT-ZTA-ZZ001
Material	Al2O3 +ZrO2
Sealing role	Rotating or stationary faces; valve-seat and static-seal geometries
Interface options	Steps, grooves and locating features to the mating design
Dimensions/Sizes	Download PDF

Custom ZTA Ceramic Seal Rings