ZrSiO₄
Zircon Sand
With its unique combination of properties, zircon sand remains indispensable in both traditional industries and cutting-edge technologies.
Overview
Zircon Sand
Pure zircon sand usually appears in a colorless and transparent state with a square column structure. It is often dyed yellow, orange, red, brown and other colors due to different origins, types and quantities of impurities. It has a hardness of 7.8, a specific gravity of 4.6-4.71, a refractive index of 1.93-2.01, birefringence, direct light absorption, low magnetic susceptibility, non-conductive, and a melting point of 2550C. It is often found in coastal sand with ilmenite, rutile, monazite, xenotime and the like, and is obtained after separation by water separation, electric separation, magnetic separation and other mineral processing techniques. Its theoretical composition is ZrO₂ and SiO₂. As well as a small amount of impurities such as Fe20g, Cao, Al₂O₃, etc., theoretically pure zircon sand contains 67.23% ZrO₂ and 32.77% SiO₂
Production and Mining
- Major Sources: Australia, South Africa, China (Hainan, Guangdong), and India.
- Extraction Methods: Separated and purified from coastal sand deposits via gravity separation, magnetic separation, and electrostatic sorting.
Key Characteristics
Chemical Composition
- Primary Component: Zirconium silicate (ZrSiO₄), typically constituting 65%-95% of the mineral.
- Associated Minerals: May contain rutile, ilmenite, and trace radioactive elements (e.g., uranium, thorium).
Physical Properties
- High Melting Point: ~2550°C, excellent resistance to high temperatures.
- High Hardness: Mohs hardness of 7.5, providing strong abrasion resistance.
- Chemical Inertness: Resistant to acids, alkalis, and molten metal corrosion.
- Low Thermal Expansion Coefficient: ~4.5×10⁻⁶/°C (20-1000°C), outstanding thermal shock resistance.
Radioactivity
- Natural zircon sand may contain trace radioactive elements, requiring beneficiation and purification to mitigate radiation risks.
| Zircon Sand Composition |
|---|
| Grade | Zr(Hf)O₂ | TiO₂ | Fe₂O₃ | Al₂O₃ | SiO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUPER | ≥66 | ≤0.06 | ≤0.08 | ≤1.0 | ≤34 |
| Grade 1 | ≥65 | ≤0.15 | ≤0.1 | ≤1.0 | ≤34 |
| Grade 2 | ≥63 | ≤0.5 | ≤0.3 | ≤1.0 | ≤34 |
| Grade 3 | ≥63 | ≤0.5 | ≤0.3 | ≤1.0 | ≤34 |
Superior Quality Zircon Sand for Uncompromising Performance
Global Industry Zircon Sand: Purity and Consistency for Your Critical Processes
At Global Industry, our Zircon Sand is meticulously sourced and processed to deliver unparalleled purity and consistent quality, essential for the most demanding industrial applications. We understand that in sectors like foundry, refractories, and ceramics, the integrity of your raw materials directly impacts the performance and longevity of your end products. Our advanced beneficiation techniques ensure a tightly controlled particle size distribution and minimal impurities, providing you with a reliable and high-performance material. This commitment to superior quality translates into enhanced thermal stability, excellent refractoriness, and reduced defect rates in your manufacturing processes. Partner with Global Industry for Zircon Sand that meets stringent international standards, guaranteeing the foundational strength and reliability your operations require to achieve optimal results and maintain a competitive edge.
Advanced Production Capacity: Meeting Your High-Volume Demands
Unmatched Production Scale: Your Reliable Zircon Sand Supply Partner
As a leading Zircon Sand factory in China, Global Industry possesses an extensive production capacity designed to consistently meet the high-volume demands of global industrial clients. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with advanced processing lines and robust infrastructure, enabling us to maintain a steady and substantial output of premium Zircon Sand. We recognize that supply chain stability is paramount for your continuous operations. Our efficient production planning, coupled with strategic inventory management, ensures that we can fulfill large orders promptly and reliably, minimizing lead times and preventing costly production delays for your business. By choosing Global Industry, you secure a partner with the proven capability to scale production to your needs, providing the security and consistency required for your long-term procurement strategies. Our commitment to operational excellence means you can depend on us for a continuous and dependable supply of high-quality Zircon Sand, even amidst fluctuating market demands.
Tailored Solutions and Technical Support: Optimizing Your Applications
Expert Collaboration: Custom Zircon Sand Solutions for Your Unique Needs
Global Industry is more than just a supplier; we are your strategic partner in optimizing the performance of your industrial applications. Our dedicated team of technical specialists offers comprehensive support and customized solutions for your specific Zircon Sand requirements. We understand that different applications, from precision casting to specialized refractories, may demand unique material characteristics. Our experts are available to provide in-depth consultations, analyze your process needs, and recommend the optimal grade and specification of Zircon Sand to enhance your product quality and operational efficiency. We can assist with particle size customization, chemical composition adjustments, and provide guidance on best practices for material integration. This collaborative approach ensures that you leverage the full potential of our Zircon Sand, achieving superior results and gaining a competitive advantage in your market. Partner with us to unlock new possibilities and refine your manufacturing processes with tailored material solutions.
Global Logistics and Seamless Delivery: Your Worldwide Zircon Sand Partner
Worldwide Reach: Ensuring Timely and Secure Zircon Sand Delivery
Global Industry is committed to providing a seamless and reliable supply of Zircon Sand to our international clientele. Leveraging our strategic location in China and extensive experience in global trade, we have cultivated a robust logistics network that ensures efficient and timely delivery to any corner of the world. We meticulously manage all aspects of international shipping, including export documentation, customs clearance, and freight forwarding, to minimize your logistical burdens and guarantee a smooth procurement process. Our flexible packaging options and adherence to international shipping standards ensure that your Zircon Sand arrives in pristine condition, ready for immediate integration into your production lines. By partnering with Global Industry, you gain a trusted global supplier dedicated to operational continuity and peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your core business while we handle the complexities of worldwide material delivery.
What is Zircon Sand and where does it come from?
Zircon sand (ZrSiO4), also known as zirconium silicate, is a naturally occurring mineral belonging to the nesosilicates group. It is a co-product of the mining and processing of heavy mineral sands, which primarily yield titanium minerals (ilmenite and rutile) and zircon. Geologically, zircon is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, but commercially viable deposits are typically concentrated in ancient beach sands and alluvial deposits, where it has been naturally concentrated due to its high density and resistance to weathering.
Major global sources of zircon sand include Australia, South Africa, Indonesia, and the United States. Australia has historically been the largest producer, particularly from deposits in Western Australia and New South Wales. South Africa’s Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) is another significant producer. These deposits are formed over millions of years through the erosion of continental rocks, transportation by rivers and oceans, and subsequent deposition in coastal environments.
What types of Zircon sand are there? How do you choose the best Zircon sand for your application?
Standard Zircon Sand: This is the most common grade, typically with a ZrO₂ content ranging from 65% to 66%. It is widely used in foundries, refractories, and some ceramic applications.
Premium/High-Purity Zircon Sand: This grade undergoes additional processing to achieve higher purity, often with ZrO₂ content exceeding 66% and lower levels of impurities like TiO₂ and Fe2O3. It is preferred for demanding applications such as advanced ceramics, glazes, and certain chemical processes where impurity levels can significantly impact the final product’s performance or appearance.
Zircon Flour and Micronized Zircon: These are finely ground forms of zircon sand, with particle sizes typically in the micron or sub-micron range. Zircon flour is produced by dry grinding, while micronized zircon often involves wet grinding and advanced classification techniques to achieve extremely fine and uniform particle sizes. These fine powders are essential for applications requiring high opacity, smooth finishes, or specific rheological properties, such as ceramic glazes, engobes, and precision casting slurries.
Chemically Treated Zircon Sand: For highly specialized applications, zircon sand may be chemically treated to remove specific impurities or to modify its surface properties. This results in ultra-high purity grades suitable for nuclear applications, specialized electronic components, and certain catalyst supports.
Coated Zircon Sand: Some zircon sands are coated with resins or other binders for specific foundry applications, improving their performance in mold and core making by enhancing strength and reducing defects.
Why has Zircon sand become the first choice? What outstanding properties does it have?
- High Refractoriness: Zircon sand has a very high melting point (approximately 2550°C for pure ZrSiO4), making it an excellent refractory material. It maintains its structural integrity and chemical stability at elevated temperatures, which is crucial for foundry and refractory applications.
- Low Thermal Expansion: It exhibits a low and uniform coefficient of thermal expansion, which contributes to its excellent thermal shock resistance. This property is vital in applications where materials are subjected to rapid temperature changes, preventing cracking and spalling.
- High Density: With a specific gravity ranging from 4.5 to 4.7 g/cm³, zircon sand is a dense material. This high density is beneficial in foundry applications for creating dense molds and cores, and in certain ceramic applications for achieving high-density products.
- High Hardness: Zircon has a Mohs hardness of 7.5, making it a hard and abrasion-resistant material. This property is advantageous in applications where wear resistance is important, such as in grinding media and abrasive products.
- Chemical Inertness: Zircon sand is chemically stable and highly resistant to attack by most acids, alkalis, and molten metals at high temperatures. This inertness prevents undesirable reactions and contamination in various industrial processes, especially in foundries and glass manufacturing.
- Low Reactivity with Molten Metal of Zircon Sand: Its low reactivity with molten metals and alloys is a key reason for its widespread use in foundry molds and cores, preventing metal penetration and ensuring a smooth casting surface.
- High Opacity and Whiteness: When finely ground, zircon flour provides excellent opacity and whiteness, making it a preferred opacifier in ceramic glazes and engobes, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of ceramic products.
- Low Radioactivity: While naturally occurring, commercial grades of zircon sand are processed to ensure low levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), making them safe for industrial use and meeting regulatory requirements.
Application
Where Are Zircon Sand Used?
Foundry Industry
- Used as a coating material for casting sand to improve surface finish of metal castings and reduce defects like porosity and sand adhesion.
Ceramics and Glass Manufacturing
- Ceramic Glazes: Enhances whiteness, gloss, and thermal shock resistance of ceramic products.
- Glass Additives: Improves high-temperature resistance and chemical stability in optical glass and LCD substrate production.
Refractory Materials
- Production of zircon-based refractory bricks and crucibles for high-temperature environments such as steelmaking furnaces and glass melting kilns.
Nuclear Industry and Metal Extraction
- Purified zircon sand is processed into zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) for nuclear reactor cladding materials.
- Source for extracting zirconium (Zr) and hafnium (Hf) metals, used in aerospace and chemical processing equipment.
Abrasive and Wear-Resistant Materials
- Manufactured into sandblasting abrasives and anti-corrosion coatings for ships, machinery, and industrial equipment.
Zirconium Chemical Production
- Processed into zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl₂), zirconium sulfate, and other compounds for catalysts, ceramic pigments, and more.
FAQ
Get a fast quote, request samples, or speak directly with our technical sales team.
We’re a factory-backed supplier based in China with in-house production and a tight QC system.
Yes. We support small MOQ for new clients or R&D projects—starting from 100 kg.
Yes. Every order comes with SDS, COA, inspection reports, and customized documentation if needed.
Typically 7–14 days for standard products. Custom specs may take slightly longer.
Absolutely. We support customized particle size, purity levels, and ceramic part dimensions.
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