Comparative Analysis of Impact Resistance: Zirconia vs Macor Machinable Glass Ceramic

We conducted a small impact resistance test on two advanced ceramic materials (Zirconia and Macor machinable glass-ceramic) by directly hitting the materials with a hammer. In the video below, you can see the difference between the two materials. Macor was smashed into pieces by the hammer in an instant, while Zirconia showed excellent impact resistance. Of course, this does not prove that Macor is worse than Zirconia. On the contrary, it also reflects the excellent machinability of Macor. How to choose the material depends on the actual application scenario.

Experimental Procedure

A simple impact resistance test was conducted to observe the qualitative response of each material to sudden mechanical stress.
Two samples (dimensions: 20 × 20 × 5 mm) were placed on a hard floor and struck with the same steel hammer. The impact force was approximately 30–40 N, and the test was repeated for each material under the same conditions.

Results and Discussion

Observation

Zirconia sample: No visible cracks or deformation were observed after impact. Only slight surface wear was observed.

Macor Sample: Fractured instantly on the first hammer strike, disintegrating into several pieces.

Microstructural Analysis

The different results stem from fundamental differences in microstructure:

Zirconia’s transformation toughening absorbs stress energy through a crystalline phase shift, delaying crack propagation.

Macor’s glassy matrix, lacking such mechanisms, leads to brittle fracture once the tensile stress exceeds its flexural strength.

This confirms that Zirconia’s superior impact resistance is intrinsic to its crystalline microstructure, while Macor’s brittleness is inherent to its glassy composite nature.

In engineering applications:

Zirconia is suited for high-load, wear-resistant parts, structural supports, and mechanical seals.

Macor excels in low-stress environments demanding precise machining, thermal isolation, and dimensional accuracy.

Thus, Zirconia should be selected for durability, and Macor for manufacturability.

Comparative Summary

Properties	Macor	Zirconia
Density	2.52g/cm³	6.02g/cm³
Hardness	2.3GPa	13GPa
Fracture Toughness	1.5 MPa·m¹ᐟ²	7 MPa·m¹ᐟ²
Max Use Temp	800C°	1000C°
Machinability	Excellent	Difficult

Conclusion

The hammer impact test visually and mechanically demonstrates the vast difference in impact resistance between Zirconia and Macor.
While Macor provides unmatched machinability and electrical insulation, it cannot sustain mechanical impact due to its brittle nature.
Zirconia, on the other hand, combines strength, toughness, and structural integrity, making it a preferred choice for demanding environments.

At Jundro Ceramics , we specialize in precision CNC machining of Zirconia and Macor ceramics, including complex geometries, fine tolerances, and multi-axis processing.
Our expertise ensures consistent quality and high-performance components tailored to your engineering requirements.