American Elements specializes in producing Yttrium Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) Grinding Beads Media with the highest possible density and smallest possible average grain sizes for use in semiconductor, Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes including Thermal and Electron Beam (E-Beam) Evaporation, Low Temperature Organic Evaporation, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Metallic-Organic and Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD). Yttrium stabilized zirconia grinding beads are the most durable and efficient media for ball milling and attrition milling of ceramic materials. Zirconia beads are available in spherical form ranging in sizes from 0.5 mm to 30 mm and in cylindrical form from 5 mm in diameter/5 mm in height to 20 mm in diameter/20 mm in height. Zirconia grinding media have an advantage over other media like alumina and glass. Zirconia is the most durable, high density grinding material. Zirconia grinding media can be used in a variety of applications such as in nanostructure and superfine powders, inks, dyes, paint and pigments, iron and chrome-based magnetic materials, electronic-grade ceramics, lab milling operations and pharmaceutical, food, chemical and textile applications. American Elements specializes in producing custom compositions for commercial and research applications and for new proprietary technologies. American Elements also casts any of the rare earth metals and most other advanced materials into rod, bar or plate form, as well as other machined shapes and through other processes such as nanoparticles (See also application discussion at Nanotechnology Information and at Quantum Dots ) and in the form of solutions and organometallics. See research below. We also produce Yttrium as disc, granules, ingot, pellets, pieces, powder, and rod. Other shapes are available by request.

Yttrium is a Block D, Group 3, Period 5 element. The number of electrons in each of Yttrium's shells is 2, 8, 18, 9, 2 and its electronic configuration is [Kr] 4d¹ 5s². In its elemental form Yttrium's CAS number is 7440-65-5. The yttrium atom has a radius of 177.6.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Insoluble compounds of Yttrium are non-toxic, although water soluble compounds are somewhat toxic. Yttrium has the highest thermo-dynamic affinity for oxygen of any element. This characteristic is the basis for many of its applications. Yttrium is not found in nature as a free element and is almost always found combined with the lanthanides in rare earth minerals. While not part of the rare earth series, it resembles the heavy rare earths which are sometimes referred to as the "yttrics" for this reason. Another unique characteristic derives from its ability to form crystals with useful properties. Yttrium is available as metal and compounds with purities from 99% to 99.999% (ACS grade to ultra high purity); metals in the form of foil, sputtering target, and rod, and compounds as submicron and nanopowder. Some of the many applications of yttrium include in ceramics for crucibles for molten reactive metals, in florescent lighting phosphors, computer displays and automotive fuel consumption sensors.Yttria stabilized zirconium oxide are used in high temperature applications, such as in thermal plasma sprays to protect aerospace high temperature surfaces and as an electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells. The name Yttrium originated from a Swedish village near Vaxholm called Yttbery where Yttrium was discovered. Crystals of the yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) variety are essential to microwave communication equipment. The phosphor Eu:Y2O2S creates the red color in televisions. Crystals of the yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) variety are utilized with neodymium in a number of laser applications. Yttria can also increase the strength of metallic alloys. Yttrium was first discovered by Johann Gadolin in 1794. See Yttrium research below.

Zirconium is a Block D, Group 4, Period 5 element. The number of electrons in each of Zirconium's shells is 2, 8, 18, 10, 2 and its electronic configuration is [Kr] 4d² 5s². In its elemental form zirconium's CAS number is 7440-67-7. The zirconium atom has a radius of 159.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Zirconium is non-toxic. Zirconium’s principal mineral is zircon (Zirconium Silicate) and is primarily used in its oxide or zirconia form. Zirconium dioxide has a high melting point (2,700° C) and a low thermal conductivity. Its polymorphism, however, restricts its widespread use in ceramic industry. During a heating process, zirconia will undergo a phase transformation process. The change in volume associated with this transformation makes the usage of pure zirconia in many applications impossible. Addition of some oxides, such as CaO, MgO, and Y2O3, into the zirconia structure in a certain degree results in a solid solution, which is a cubic form and has no phase transformation during heating and cooling. This solid solution material is termed as stabilized zirconia, a valuable refractory. Stabilized zirconia is used as a grinding media and engineering ceramics due to its increased hardness and high thermal shock resistivity. Stabilized zirconia is also used in applications such as oxygen sensors and solid oxide fuel cells due to its high oxygen ion conductivity.Zirconium was first discovered by William Gregor in 1791. The name Zirconium originated from the Persian word 'zargun' meaning gold color or gold-like. See Zirconium research below.