zirconium oxide

American  

noun

1. Chemistry. a white, heavy, amorphous, odorless and tasteless, infusible, water-insoluble powder, ZrO 2 , used chiefly as a pigment for paints, an abrasive, and in the manufacture of refractory crucibles.

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zirconium oxide British  

noun

1. Also called: zirconia.  a white amorphous powder that is insoluble in water and highly refractory, used as a pigment for paints, a catalyst, and an abrasive. Formula: ZrO 2

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Etymology

Origin of zirconium oxide

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

In a process he and colleagues developed, the VFAs are vaporized, then percolate over a bed of white, marble-size pellets of zirconium oxide, which knit the VFAs into longer chains called ketones.

From Science Magazine

A glass surface reflects 4 percent of the light that smacks into it, so the scratch-resistant, durable coating – of zirconium oxide and silicon dioxide – would actually improve power output by 4 percent.

From Scientific American

It's essentially a high-speed rusting, where the zirconium becomes zirconium oxide and the hydrogen is set free.

From Scientific American

Unlike most hydrogen fuel cells, they require no precious metals; Bloom uses zirconium oxide powder, which is readily found in beach sand.

From BusinessWeek

I also hear that it may require zirconium oxide as a membrane and zirconium doesn't grow on trees, nor is it processed quickly, which may hamper production volumes.

From Forbes