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High-Temperature Refractory Lining

Metal Casting Materials and Processing Components for Every Stage of Molten Metal Contact

Every point where zirconia meets molten metal is a point where material selection determines process outcomes. Crucibles that introduce contamination, nozzles that degrade mid-run, dies that fail under thermal cycling, flow control components that can’t sustain the demands of challenging steel grades — each failure carries real costs in yield, quality, and uptime. Zircoa engineers metal casting materials and processing components from zirconium oxide for investment casting, steel continuous casting, non-ferrous extrusion, powder metal atomization, and related operations where the material in contact with the melt cannot be left to chance.

Learn more about product solutions for these processes below, or get in touch with our experts to discuss project specifics.

metal casting materials

Why Zirconia for Metal Melting and Processing

Zirconia’s chemical inertness at extreme temperatures makes it uniquely suited to direct metal contact applications. It resists corrosive attack from superalloys, caustic slags, reactive non-ferrous alloys, and aggressive casting atmospheres that degrade standard refractory and metal tooling. Its low wettability prevents molten metal from bonding to contact surfaces, protecting melt purity and extending component life. Combined with transformation toughening, which actively resists crack propagation under thermal shock and mechanical stress, zirconia delivers the durability and cleanliness that metal melting and processing operations depend on across every stage of the workflow.

Zircoa Products for Metal Melting & Processing

zirconia powder
A Grain Zirconia Powder
When your metal processing application requires a consistent, high-purity zirconia feedstock with controlled chemistry and particle properties, A Grain's proprietary spheroidal form and 99.6% purity provide the foundation your formulation or process demands.
alumina crucible
Alumina Crucibles
When your melting application operates within 1700°C in vacuum or oxidizing atmospheres and requires a cost-effective, dimensionally consistent vessel, Zircoa's hydraulically pressed alumina crucibles deliver reliable performance without over-specifying your solution.
refractory bricks
Brick
When standard furnace linings fail to insulate or maintain structural integrity in metal melting environments operating above 2000°C, Zircoa's engineered zirconia brick provides the thermal barrier and chemical resistance your furnace walls require.
castable refractory
Castable
When your metal processing furnace geometry or field repair requirements can't be served by pre-formed shapes, Zircoa's castable refractory materials allow custom insulating structures to be formed on-site with the thermal and chemical performance your application calls for.
Crystal growth
Coarse Grain Tubes
When induction heating or specialty metal processing applications require a tube material that won't fail under aggressive thermal cycling or contaminate the process, Zircoa's coarse grain zirconia tubes deliver the sustained performance and purity your operation requires.
ceramic bushings
Components
When wear, corrosion, or high-temperature stress degrade metal and standard ceramic parts in fluid handling, flow control, or precision metal processing equipment, Zircoa's custom-engineered zirconia components bring transformation-toughened durability and chemical inertness to your most demanding contact points.
refractory lining
Custom Shapes
When your metal melting system requires refractory geometry that standard brick or castable configurations can't address, Zircoa's pre-formed, pre-sintered custom shapes are engineered to your exact specifications for fit, thermal performance, and chemical resistance.
extrusion dies
Extrusion Dies
When tool steel and stellite dies wear prematurely, increase machine shop rework, or can't withstand the thermal cycling demands of copper, brass, and copper-nickel extrusion, Zircoa's magnesia-stabilized zirconia dies deliver the hardness, chemical inertness, and thermal shock resistance your extrusion line requires.
refractory insulation
Granular Zirconia (GROG)
When your metal melting refractory system needs a thermally stable, chemically resistant backup material to extend furnace life and improve temperature control, GROG provides the high-purity zirconia insulation your system design depends on.
atomization nozzles
Powder Metal Atomization Nozzles
When nozzle degradation introduces contamination, disrupts particle size targets, or causes freeze-offs in specialty metal powder production, Zircoa's zirconia atomization nozzles deliver the thermal resistance, wear performance, and chemical inertness needed for longer, cleaner atomization runs.
steel continuous casting
Slide Gate Plates
When current ladle and tundish gate refractories can't meet the pouring and life requirements for your most demanding steel grades, Zircoa's magnesia-stabilized zirconia slide gate plate inserts provide the erosion resistance and casting reliability your continuous casting operation requires.
tundish metering nozzles
Tundish Metering Nozzles
When standard flow control components limit your casting sequences or can't reliably serve your billet and rebar production requirements, Zircoa's tundish metering nozzles — available in multiple bore styles and compositions — provide the consistent, predictable performance your caster demands from 8-hour basic applications to extended 24+ hour casting sequences.
high temperature crucible
Zirconia Crucibles
When standard crucibles wear prematurely, introduce impurities, or can't sustain the temperatures required for superalloys, precious metals, and other demanding melt applications up to 2200°C, Zircoa's zirconia crucibles deliver cleaner melts, longer life, and the thermal efficiency your investment casting or specialty metals operation depends on.

Your Process. Our Expertise.

Zircoa has engineered zirconia solutions for metal melting and processing operations since 1952, working directly with investment foundries, steel producers, non-ferrous processors, and powder metal manufacturers to match the right material, form, and composition to each application’s specific demands. Whether you’re optimizing an existing process or sourcing materials for a new one, our specialists bring the application knowledge to get it right.

Zircoa: Delivering What Matters. Let’s Talk Solutions.

Ready to solve your toughest material challenges? Our specialists are here to help with material selection, custom solutions, and technical guidance. Contact us today to discover how our zirconium oxide expertise can deliver the performance you need.

Zircoa Inc.

31501 Solon Rd.
Solon, OH 44139 USA

Phone: 440-248-0500