Last updated: 2026-01
Material Identity
- Chemical name: Zirconium tungstate
- Formula: ZrW2O8
- CAS number: 37377-21-0 (reported for zirconium tungstate phase)
- Physical form: inorganic oxide ceramic, typically supplied as powder
- What it is not: not a polymer modifier, not a metallic alloy, not a fiber reinforcement
Activation & Trigger Conditions
- Trigger: temperature increase
- Energy domain: lattice vibrational modes and framework dynamics
- Absent trigger: no dimensional response without thermal change
- Insufficient condition: phase disruption or poor crystallinity reduces negative expansion behavior
- Excess condition: decomposition or phase change at extreme temperatures eliminates the effect
Functional Role
- Provides negative thermal expansion behavior
- Compensates positive thermal expansion in composite systems
- Stabilizes dimensions across temperature changes
- Acts as a functional filler for thermal expansion tuning
Application Windows
- Compatible systems: polymers, ceramics, adhesives, and composite matrices
- Loading range: formulation-dependent; no universal loading applies
- Processing notes: dispersion quality and interfacial bonding affect effectiveness
Limitations & Failure Modes
- Poor dispersion → localized expansion mismatch → microcracking or warpage
- Phase degradation → loss of lattice mechanism → disappearance of negative expansion
- Matrix incompatibility → weak interfacial stress transfer → reduced compensation effect
Alternatives & Trade-offs
- Positive-expansion fillers: increase stiffness but do not offset thermal growth
- Low-expansion glass fillers: reduce expansion without active contraction
- Other framework oxides: may offer partial compensation with different temperature ranges
When to Use
- When dimensional stability across temperature changes is critical
- When passive thermal expansion compensation is preferred
- When composite systems allow ceramic filler incorporation
- When isotropic response is required
FAQ
Does zirconium tungstate expand at low temperatures?
No. Its defining behavior is contraction upon heating within its stable temperature range.
Is the negative expansion chemically driven?
No. The effect arises from lattice dynamics rather than chemical reactions.
Why does performance vary between formulations?
Differences in dispersion, matrix interaction, and phase integrity influence stress transfer and overall response.
Data
No numerical values are listed. Thermal expansion behavior, stability range, and effectiveness depend on grade, processing, and fo