Often used instead of metal in bearings and rollers, these balls are ideal for applications where strength under heavy loads and wear resistance is needed. It's the addition of yttria that gives this zirconia more strength and lowers the chances of cracking from impact than standard zirconia, alumina, and silicon nitride ceramic. If cracks do occur, they will not spread, extending the life and reliability of the material. It also means this zirconia blend resists wearing down from rubbing against another part or abrasion from chemical slurries.

These balls do not withstand rapid temperature changes or high temperatures as well as other high-performance ceramics such as ceramic alumina and silicon nitride ceramic.