Metals, organic materials and ceramics are known as the “big three” materials. The English word ceramic comes from the Greek word “keramos”, meaning “fired clay”.

The term ceramics originally referred almost exclusively to China. Today, we often refer to non-metallic, inorganic substances such as refractories, glass and cement as ceramics. For this reason, ceramics are now considered to be “non-metallic, inorganic substances manufactured by a process of molding or shaping and exposure to high temperatures”.

In ceramics, porcelain is used in electronics and other high-tech industries, and therefore must meet high-precision specifications and demanding performance requirements. Today, they are called precision ceramics (also known as “fine ceramics”)* to distinguish them from traditional ceramics made from natural materials such as clay and silica. Precision ceramics are carefully engineered materials in which the chemical composition has been precisely adjusted using refined or synthetic raw material powders and well-controlled molding and sintering methods.

In addition, according to ISO** 20507 (“Fine Ceramics - Glossary”) and JIS*** R 1600, fine ceramics “are produced with precisely controlled chemical composition, microstructure, configuration and production processes to achieve the desired function, and are composed mainly of non-metallic, inorganic substances.”

Precision ceramic materials can make products lighter, more efficient, more durable, reduce maintenance intervals and lower operating costs. Because of their remarkable high temperature capabilities, hardness and electrical properties, they are often used to replace metals, polymers and refractory materials in a variety of applications.

The basic composition of ceramics varies greatly, and they also vary greatly in their properties due to differences in bonding. So what are the common precision ceramic materials?

Alumina ceramics are one of the most commonly used precision ceramic materials.Aluminum oxide ceramicsUsed in many applications such as holding molten metal where the material runs at very high temperatures under heavy loads, as an insulator in spark plugs, and in some unique applications such as dental and medical uses. Chromium-doped aluminum oxide is used in the manufacture of lasers.

Due to their typical properties, such as good electrical insulation and high thermal conductivity.Aluminum Nitride CeramicsUsed as a precision ceramic material in many electronic applications, for example in circuits operating at high frequencies. It is also suitable for integrated circuits. Other electronic ceramics include barium titanate (BaTiO3) and cordierite (2MgO-2Al2O3-5SiO2).

Zirconia CeramicsZirconia is a very strong precision ceramic material with a Vickers hardness of 1250, and is often used to make ceramic blades and ceramic parts. Zirconia is also used to make oxygen sensors and as an additive in many electronic ceramics. Its single crystals are part of jewelry.

Silicon Carbide CeramicsConsidered one of the best precision ceramic materials for very high temperature applications. Silicon carbide is used as a coating for other materials to protect against extreme temperatures. It is also used as an abrasive material. It is used as a reinforcing material in many metal and ceramic matrix composites. It is a semiconductor and is commonly used in high-temperature electronics. Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) has similar properties to SiC, but is slightly lower and is used in automobiles and gas turbine engines, among other things.

Boron nitride ceramics are advanced synthetic ceramic materials available in solid and powder form. Their unique properties - ranging from high heat capacity and excellent thermal conductivity to ease of processing, lubricity, low dielectric constant and excellent dielectric strength - make boron nitride ceramics truly outstanding precision ceramic materials.

Hexagonal Boron Nitride CeramicsWith a wide range of uses, excellent mechanical properties, high temperature resistance, thermal shock resistance, ablation resistance, resistance to molten metal erosion and other characteristics, making them potentially important applications in aerospace, electronics, metallurgy, machinery, nuclear energy and other fields.

Silicon Nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) has the most versatile combination of mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of any precision ceramic material. It is a high-performance precision ceramic that is very hard and has excellent resistance to thermal shock and impact. It exceeds the high temperature capabilities of most metals and has excellent creep and oxidation resistance. In addition, its low thermal conductivity and high wear resistance make it an excellent material capable of withstanding the harshest conditions in the most demanding industrial applications. When high temperatures and high load capacity are requiredSilicon Nitride CeramicsIt's a good choice.

Macor machinable microcrystalline glass-ceramics offer the versatility of a high-performance polymer, the machinability of a metal, and the performance of an advanced precision ceramic. It is a hybrid glass-ceramic with a unique combination of properties from both material families.Macor is an excellent electrical and thermal insulator with good performance in high temperature, vacuum and corrosive environments.

One of the main advantages of Macor is that it can be machined using traditional metalworking tools. This allows for significantly faster turnaround and significantly lower production costs than other precision ceramics, making it an excellent material for prototyping and mid-volume production.

You may not realize it, but machining precision ceramics has become a challenge because of their ultra-high hardness. In order to consistently produce high-quality ceramic parts at a reasonable cost, you must have the right machining tools, in-depth knowledge of the material, and the right design of the ceramic structure.

To Good Ceramics has many years of experience in developing high quality precision ceramic parts. We utilize our experienced team and in-depth knowledge of ceramic materials to create the best precision ceramic products for our customers at competitive prices.