Dental Zirconia Blanks & Discs — Pre-Sintered 3Y-TZP for CAD/CAM Prosthetic Fabrication
SEMITECH Dental Zirconia Blanks are pre-sintered 3Y-TZP (3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal) discs and blocks engineered for CAD/CAM dental milling systems. Available in three translucency tiers — Standard (ST), High-Translucency (HT), and Ultra-Translucency (UT) — each blank is CIP-pressed to controlled pre-sintered density (2.9–3.1 g/cm³) for optimal machinability, with final sintered properties exceeding ISO 6872 Type II Class 6 requirements for fixed dental prosthetics.
SEMITECH supplies dental zirconia blanks to dental laboratories, blank distributors, and CAD/CAM equipment OEMs worldwide, with competitive pricing driven by direct sourcing from ISO 13485-certified Chinese producers operating dedicated dental-grade zirconia production lines.
Technical Specifications — Pre-Sintered Blanks
| Parameter | Unit | ST Grade | HT Grade | UT Grade | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y₂O₃ content | wt% | 5.15 ± 0.20 | 5.15 ± 0.20 | 5.30 ± 0.20 | XRF |
| ZrO₂ + HfO₂ | wt% | ≥94.5 | ≥94.5 | ≥93.0 | XRF |
| Al₂O₃ | wt% | 0.25 ± 0.10 | 0.05 ± 0.02 | ≤0.05 | XRF |
| Pre-sintered density | g/cm³ | 2.9–3.1 | 2.9–3.1 | 2.9–3.1 | Geometric |
| Pre-sintered hardness | — | Chalk-like | Chalk-like | Chalk-like | — |
| Disc diameter | mm | 98.0 ± 0.1 | 98.0 ± 0.1 | 98.0 ± 0.1 | Caliper |
| Thickness options | mm | 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25 | 10–25 | 10–25 | — |
Sintered Properties
| Parameter | Unit | ST Grade | HT Grade | UT Grade | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sintered density | g/cm³ | ≥6.05 | ≥6.05 | ≥6.05 | Archimedes |
| Linear sintering shrinkage | % | 20–25 | 20–25 | 20–25 | Dimensional |
| Flexural strength | MPa | ≥1200 | ≥1100 | ≥900 | 3-point bend (ISO 6872) |
| Fracture toughness | MPa·m^0.5 | 8–12 | 6–9 | 5–7 | SEVNB |
| Vickers hardness | HV10 | 1250–1350 | 1200–1300 | 1150–1250 | ISO 6507 |
| Translucency (1 mm, sintered) | % | 33–37 | 40–45 | 48–53 | Spectrophotometer |
| CIE L* (sintered, A2 shade) | — | 72–75 | 70–73 | 68–71 | — |
| Radioactivity (Th + U) | Bq/g | ≤1.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤1.0 | ISO 6872 Annex C |
Application Suggestions
Posterior Crowns and Multi-Unit Bridges
Standard-translucency (ST) blanks deliver the highest flexural strength (≥1200 MPa) and fracture toughness (8–12 MPa·m^0.5), making them the preferred choice for posterior crowns and long-span bridges up to 16 units where occlusal load resistance is paramount. The 0.25 wt% Al₂O₃ content facilitates sintering at standard profiles (1450°C / 2h) while maintaining fine grain structure (<0.5 μm) for reliable transformation toughening. ST blanks are typically veneered with feldspathic porcelain for anterior applications requiring higher aesthetics.
Anterior Full-Contour Restorations
High-translucency (HT) blanks reduce Al₂O₃ content to 0.05 wt%, increasing light transmission to 40–45% at 1 mm thickness while maintaining flexural strength ≥1100 MPa — sufficient for anterior single crowns and 3-unit bridges. The improved translucency enables full-contour (monolithic) restorations without porcelain veneering, reducing fabrication time and eliminating the risk of veneer chipping.
Premium Aesthetic Anterior Cases
Ultra-translucency (UT) blanks achieve 48–53% translucency at 1 mm by slightly increasing Y₂O₃ content (5.30 wt%) to promote a small percentage of cubic phase in the sintered microstructure. While flexural strength drops to ≥900 MPa (still exceeding ISO 6872 Type II Class 4 requirements), the optical properties approach lithium disilicate aesthetics while retaining zirconia's superior strength. UT blanks are recommended for single anterior crowns and veneers where aesthetics are the primary concern.
Implant Abutments and Screw-Retained Prosthetics
Pre-sintered blanks are machined into custom dental implant abutments on 5-axis CAM systems. The high strength and biocompatibility (ISO 10993, cytotoxicity tested) of sintered 3Y-TZP make it the material of choice for metal-free implant prosthetics. SEMITECH blanks are compatible with all major implant connection systems (internal hex, conical Morse taper, multi-unit).
Shade and Color Options
SEMITECH dental blanks are available in 16 Vita Classical shades (A1–D4) and 3 bleach shades (BL1–BL3), achieved through controlled addition of metal oxide colorants (Fe₂O₃, Er₂O₃, Pr₆O₁₁) during powder processing. Multi-layer (gradient) blanks with 3–5 color layers simulating natural tooth dentin-to-enamel transitions are available in HT and UT grades.
| Shade System | Available Grades | Color Layers |
|---|---|---|
| Vita Classical (A1–D4) | ST, HT, UT | Mono, 3-layer, 5-layer |
| Bleach (BL1–BL3) | HT, UT | Mono, 3-layer |
| Custom shade matching | All grades | By request, MOQ 200 pcs |
Technical Support & FAQ: Dental Zirconia Blanks
+Q1: Which CAD/CAM systems are compatible?
SEMITECH 98 mm blanks are compatible with all major open-architecture CAD/CAM milling systems, including Sirona inLab MC X5, Amann Girrbach Ceramill Motion 2, Roland DWX-52D, Imes-Icore CORiTEC, Zirkonzahn M5, and VHF milling machines. The 98.0 ± 0.1 mm diameter and standard step-holder geometry ensure universal fit.
+Q2: What sintering profile is recommended?
Standard sintering: ramp 10°C/min to 1450°C, hold 2 hours, cool 10°C/min. Total cycle: ~8 hours. Speed sintering (ST grade only): ramp 20°C/min to 1530°C, hold 20–30 minutes, cool 20°C/min. Total cycle: ~90 minutes. HT and UT grades should use standard sintering profiles — speed sintering may cause excessive grain growth and translucency variation.
+Q3: How does translucency affect clinical strength?
Higher translucency is achieved by reducing Al₂O₃ content and introducing cubic phase — both reduce transformation toughening capacity. ST (≥1200 MPa) handles all indications including long-span bridges. HT (≥1100 MPa) covers anterior bridges up to 3 units and all single crowns. UT (≥900 MPa) should be limited to single anterior crowns and veneers where occlusal loads are moderate. All three grades exceed ISO 6872 requirements for their recommended indications.
+Q4: What are pricing, MOQ, and lead times?
Stock shades: 7–14 business days, MOQ 50 discs per shade per thickness. Custom shades and multi-layer blanks: 3–4 weeks, MOQ 200 discs. Pricing is competitive versus Tosoh, IPS e.max ZirCAD, and other premium brands — contact info@semitechnm.com for distributor or lab-direct pricing. Sample discs (2 pcs per grade/shade) available for evaluation.
Packing & Storage Information
Standard Packing Individual vacuum-sealed aluminum foil pouches with desiccant. 10 discs per inner carton, 100 discs per master carton. Each disc laser-engraved with lot number, shade code, and thickness for traceability.
Storage Conditions Store at room temperature in original sealed packaging. Pre-sintered zirconia is not moisture-sensitive but should be protected from mechanical shock and contamination. Shelf life: unlimited when stored correctly. Do not stack heavy objects on disc cartons.