Applications:
- Refractories: Produce zirconia bricks, fused cast blocks, sintered bricks, water-cooled bricks, kiln ramming mixes and castables.
- Ceramics: A stable, cost-efficient opacifier widely used in architectural, sanitary, daily and art ceramic glazes with large dosage.
- Glass: Used for TV colour picture tubes and opalescent glass.
- Coatings: Stable suspension, good thixotropy & brushability, low organics, low gas output and high coating strength.
- Casting: High thermal conductivity, low expansion, good thermal shock resistance and high heat storage. Its chilling effect refines casting microstructure and enhances mechanical properties.
What is zircon sand?
Zircon (zirconium silicate, ZrSiO₄) derives from ancient mineral sand deposits. Its crystalline sand grains are mostly brown, with colours ranging from colourless, golden yellow, pink, red to blue and green.
Mineral sands yield two major product lines: zircon and titanium-bearing minerals (ilmenite, leucoxene and rutile).
Most zircon sand is mined in Australia and Africa, with global annual output over 1 million tonnes. China consumes roughly half of worldwide zircon supply; other key markets include Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific and India.
Zircon sand is mainly processed into zircon flour, ceramic opacifiers, fused zirconia, zirconium chemicals, chemical zirconia and zirconium metal. It also sees direct use in foundries, refractory materials and other small-scale industrial fields.
