Magnesium Zirconium Silicate

Description: Low density zirconium opacifier

Oxide	Analysis	Formula
MgO	18.02%	1.00
ZrO2	55.10%	1.00
SiO2	26.88%	1.00
Oxide Weight		223.64
Formula Weight		223.64

Notes

A zircon opacifier which produces high opacity, strong color, softness of texture and excellent matte finishes. Introduces MgO without serious devitrification. It is much less dense than zirconium silicate.

Originally made by TAM in the 1970s and then sold to Ferro. Their data sheet showed 53% ZrO2 (the analysis shown here is theoretical).

Related Information

Links

Materials	Zircopax
Materials	Zircopax Plus
Materials	Zircon
Hazards	Zirconium Compounds Toxicity
Typecodes	Generic Material Generic materials are those with no brand name. Normally they are theoretical, the chemistry portrays what a specimen would be if it had no contamination. Generic materials are helpful in educational situations where students need to study material theory (later they graduate to dealing with real world materials). They are also helpful where the chemistry of an actual material is not known. Often the accuracy of calculations is sufficient using generic materials.
Typecodes	Opacifier Opacifiers are powders that turn transparent glazes opaque by various chemical and physical mechanisms (and combinations of mechanisms).

Data

Frit Softening Point	1700C
Density (Specific Gravity)	1.28 g/cc

Mechanisms

Glaze Opacifier	Produces opacity and a soft matte texture without the need for magnesia compounds which might devitrify.

By Tony Hansen
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