Is ZTA better than alumina for a seal-face disc?

Not always. Alumina remains an economical option for stable, low-impact service. ZTA may be considered when edge chipping limits disc life. Compare both materials using the same geometry, counter-face and operating conditions.

Can a ZTA ceramic disc replace a silicon carbide disc?

Possibly, but substitution requires an application review. Check pressure, temperature, process medium, counter-face material, thermal expansion and surface-finish requirements before confirming the replacement.

When should I request a ground or lapped face?

Ground or fine-ground faces suit general contact, support and locating surfaces. Lapped faces are used for sealing applications requiring specified flatness and surface finish. Identify each working face and define its flatness, parallelism, roughness and inspection method on the drawing.

How should I photograph an old disc for an inquiry?

Photograph both faces, the side and edges beside a scale. Include the installed position and mating or backing parts. Mark the working face and distinguish worn areas from intact reference surfaces. These details help establish the original geometry.

What information is needed to quote a custom ZTA disc?

Provide a drawing, sketch, sample or scaled photographs, the disc function and quantity, overall dimensions, holes, grooves and chamfers, working-face finish and tolerance requirements, and the mating material, process medium and acceptance method. Start with the information available; remaining details can be clarified during engineering review.

ZTA Ceramic Discs & Rectangular Inserts

Q: What is a ZTA ceramic disc?

A ZTA ceramic disc is made from zirconia toughened alumina, combining an alumina matrix with zirconia reinforcement to improve crack resistance. Round discs and rectangular inserts are supplied with drawing-defined dimensions, working faces and tolerances. ZTA ceramic disk refers to the same product.

What Is a ZTA Ceramic Disc?

A ZTA ceramic disc is a flat component made from zirconia toughened alumina:

Alumina provides hardness and chemical stability.
Zirconia particles improve toughness and resistance to edge chipping.

The part can be a round disc or rectangular insert, with geometry, working faces and tolerances defined by your drawing. “ZTA ceramic disk” is an alternative spelling for the same product.

For contact applications, performance also depends on the mating surface, load-bearing area and mounting arrangement. These details help define how the disc seals, wears and fits into the equipment.

Zirconia Toughened Alumina Disc Specifications

Type 1: Rectangular insert

Suitable for flat seats, wear pads and sliding surfaces where length and width define the contact area.

Square ZTA Disc
Item No.	Length *Width（mm)	Thickness（mm)
AT-ZTA-P1001	150*100	5
AT-ZTA-P1002	250*100	10
AT-ZTA-P1003	300*200	10

Type 2: Round disc

Suitable for circular seats, rotating faces and bore-centered locations. Typical uses include seal faces and valve seats.

Round ZTA Disc
Item No.	Diameter（mm)	Thickness（mm)
AT-ZTA-P2001	50	5
AT-ZTA-P2002	50	8
AT-ZTA-P2003	100	5
AT-ZTA-P2004	100	10
AT-ZTA-P2005	150	10

Download Size Guide

ZTA Ceramic Disc Material Properties

ADCERAX works with five ZTA product grades. The table below lists the values published in ADCERAX's ZTA material table. They are material references for grade selection, not finished disc specifications and not a release value for any catalog number on this page.

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 Disc

1. Define the Application

Identify whether the disc acts as a seal face, valve seat, wear pad or support. Confirm the contact area and loading direction.

2. Specify the Mating Part

Provide the counter-face material, surface roughness and loading arrangement, including any spring or backing support.

3. Confirm Operating Conditions

Include:

Fluid, concentration or pH, and temperature
Particle size and solids content
Flushing, cleaning and dry-running conditions

4. Define the Working Face

Mark the functional face and specify:

As-ground, fine-ground or lapped finish
Flatness, parallelism and roughness
Measurement method and reference datum

5. Select the Material Grade

Alumina: Consider for stable, low-impact duty.
ZTA: Review where edge chipping is a concern.
Silicon carbide: Consider where wear and chemical resistance are priorities.

Confirm suitability for the temperature, chemicals and thermal cycles, then specify the grade and certificate requirements.

6. Agree on Acceptance

Define acceptance at material, individual-disc or assembly level. Include critical dimensions, required tests, sampling plan and reference temperature.

ZTA Compared with Alumina, Zirconia and Silicon Carbide

ZTA — Wear Resistance and Edge Toughness

Combines an alumina matrix with zirconia to improve crack resistance. Consider ZTA when edge chipping limits the life of an alumina seal face, valve seat or wear pad.

Alumina — Established and Economical

A practical option for stable, low-impact service where hardness, chemical compatibility and cost matter. Review contact geometry and loading if edge chipping occurs.

Zirconia — Toughness for Demanding Contact

Consider zirconia where thin sections, concentrated contact loads or impact make toughness a priority. Assess the specific grade’s thermal behavior and suitability for hot water or steam exposure.

Silicon Carbide — Wear Resistance and Heat Transfer

Offers high hardness, wear resistance and thermal conductivity. Confirm chemical compatibility and review impact loading, vibration and edge support for the application.

Compare all materials using the same disc geometry, counter-face and operating conditions. Final selection should account for loading, motion, medium, temperature and acceptance requirements.

ZTA Disc Packaging

Each ZTA disc is separated in plastic cavity trays or foam-lined partitions so that sealing faces do not contact each other.

ZTA Ceramic Disc Applications

ZTA ceramic discs are reviewed for assemblies where a flat ceramic surface must hold its geometry under wear, chemical exposure or repeated assembly. Each application is assessed by the disc role, the counter-face, the medium, the load and the replacement history.

Seal Faces in Pumps and Mixers

A stationary or rotating face inside a pump, mixer or agitator seal. The disc is reviewed when the face must stay flat through start-stop cycles or when a metal face shows galling or corrosion.

What to check: shaft and housing geometry, counter-face material, particles, pressure, speed and the previous failure mode.
Valve Seats and Flow-Control Discs

A seat, a throttling plate or a wear insert inside a valve or a flow-control module. The disc defines the sealing line and, in throttling designs, the flow path through ports or grooves.

What to check: seat profile, bore and port layout, pressure direction, opening frequency, cavitation risk and the leakage acceptance method.
Wear Pads and Sliding Contact Discs

A pad, a guide disc or a support plate that takes sliding contact, vibration or misalignment in process, textile, dosing and motion-control equipment.

What to check: contact speed, load direction, mating material, lubrication, impact risk and the allowed wear tolerance.
Drawing-Based Inserts for OEM Assemblies

A rectangular or round insert machined with holes, slots, grooves, recesses or steps to fit a housing, a replacement assembly or a new mechanical design without changing the rest of the equipment.

What to check: drawing geometry, tolerance stack-up, datum faces, mounting method and the inspection plan.

ZTA Ceramic Disc Usage Instructions

Installation

1. Inspect the disc: Check both faces, bore and edges for chips, cracks or scratches. Verify dimensions against the drawing.
2. Prepare mating parts: Keep the housing, seat, gasket, O-ring and backing ring clean and free of burrs.
3. Protect the working face: Keep it clean and dry before assembly.
4. Tighten as specified: Follow the equipment’s tightening sequence and load limits. Avoid point contact between ceramic edges and metal seats.
First Operation

1. Follow the startup procedure: Use the equipment maker’s break-in and lubrication plan.
2. Confirm compatibility: Check the counter-face, auxiliary seals and process medium.
3. Monitor performance: Watch leakage, vibration, torque and temperature. Confirm flushing and filtration for particle-containing media.
Cleaning

1. Use a compatible cleaner: Select a neutral detergent or suitable solvent with a soft, lint-free cloth.
2. Protect lapped faces: Avoid wire brushes, abrasive pads and uncontrolled blasting.
3. Remove deposits gently: Soften deposits with a suitable solution before wiping, then dry with lint-free material.
Storage and Traceability

1. Separate each disc: Use cavity trays, foam partitions or individual protective packaging. Avoid direct stacking and contact with metal parts.
2. Protect working faces: Keep them free from dust, moisture and hard particles.
3. Retain identification: Store the drawing number, revision, batch number and material grade with each part.

ZTA Ceramic Disc FAQs

Q: Is ZTA better than alumina for a seal-face disc?
A: Not always. Alumina remains an economical option for stable, low-impact service. ZTA may be considered when edge chipping limits disc life.
Compare both materials using the same geometry, counter-face and operating conditions.
Q: Can a ZTA ceramic disc replace a silicon carbide disc?
A: Possibly, but substitution requires an application review.
Check pressure, temperature, process medium, counter-face material, thermal expansion and surface-finish requirements before confirming the replacement.
Q: When should I request a ground or lapped face?
A: a. Ground or fine-ground: For general contact, support and locating surfaces.
b. Lapped: For sealing faces requiring specified flatness and surface finish.
Identify each working face and define its flatness, parallelism, roughness and inspection method on the drawing.
Q: How should I photograph an old disc for an inquiry?
A: a. Photograph both faces, the side and edges beside a scale.
b. Include the installed position and mating or backing parts.
c. Mark the working face and distinguish worn areas from intact reference surfaces.
These details help establish the original geometry.
Q: What information is needed to quote a custom ZTA disc?
Provide:
A: a. Drawing, sketch, sample or scaled photographs
b. Disc function and quantity
c. Overall dimensions, holes, grooves and chamfers
d. Working-face finish and tolerance requirements
e. Mating material, process medium and acceptance method
Start with the information available; remaining details can be clarified during engineering review.

Catalog No.	AT-ZTA-P1001
Material	Al2O3 + ZrO2
Ra	<0.6μm
Dimensional Accuracy	standard OD/ID tolerance ±0.2mm, custom up to ±0.1mm
Dimensions/Sizes	Download PDF

ZTA Ceramic Discs & Rectangular Inserts for Seals, Valves and Wear

What Is a ZTA Ceramic Disc?

Zirconia Toughened Alumina Disc Specifications

ZTA Ceramic Disc Material Properties