ZIRCONIUM SILICATE

Zirconium Silicate

The most important market for zircon by volume is the ceramics industry. Within this sector, the principal use of zircon is as an opacifier (or whitener) for the ceramic body and surface. As a fine powder, zircon can be used directly in ceramic mixtures to increase the whiteness of the entire ceramic body or used in engobes to produce a white and opaque layer that hides the colour of the body. It’s also used as a raw material in ceramic glazes to increase their opacity, or in frit compositions used to produce glossy, opaque, white glazes. When used in surface glazes, zircon significantly enhances resistance to abrasion and chemical attack.

The properties that make zircon a suitable opacifier are its high refractive index. Finely milled zircon grains scatter visible light, making ceramics appear white, glossy and opaque.