In technical ceramics, the ceramic material used determines the properties and possible use of the ceramic components. Depending on the material used, the components are therefore suitable for different areas of application and fulfil their specific requirements.
Production of technical ceramic components
At room temperature, the components are moulded from ceramic powder, organic binder and liquid and are given their typical material properties in a sintering process at high temperatures.
The larger or more complex a component made of technical ceramics is, the more challenging it is to manufacture.
Common ceramic materials are
Silicon carbide
Silicon carbide - light, hard and heat-resistant
Silicon carbide is one of the hardest and lightest materials in technical ceramics and has a diamond-like structure. The material has outstanding properties:
- excellent thermal conductivity
- low thermal expansion and impressive resistance to acids and alkalis.
- Even at extreme temperatures of up to 1,400°C, the properties of silicon carbide remain constant.
- Its lightness and dimensional stability make this material the ideal choice for construction applications.
Components made of silicon carbide are used in a wide range of applications, including in chemical plants, as a semiconductor material or in the field of optics. Due to its suitability for use with food, silicon carbide is also popular in the food industry.
Whether in highly specialised industries or for a wide range of challenges, ceramic components made of silicon carbide offer an economical, durable and reliable solution compared to metal.
Zirconium oxide - Robust and versatile
Zirconium oxide (also known as zirconium dioxide) is one of the most outstanding high-performance materials.
It impresses with its exceptionally high flexural strength and impact strength.
These properties make zirconium oxide relatively ‘soft’ compared to other high-performance ceramics - an advantage that makes the material particularly interesting for components in mechanical engineering. Zirconium oxide ceramic is ideal for use as a counterpart to steel or hard metal, for example in steady rests.
But zirconium oxide ceramic offers even more:
- The material is biocompatible, making it ideal for use in the food industry and medical technology.
- Thanks to its low thermal conductivity, it is also valued as a thermal insulator.
- A further advantage lies in its similarity to the modulus of elasticity and thermal expansion of steel, which makes it particularly suitable for use in assemblies under temperature stress.
Why is zirconium oxide ceramic the material of choice?
- High load-bearing capacity: Ideal for mechanical engineering components
- Biocompatibility: Perfect for food and medical technology
- Thermal insulation: Efficient at high temperatures
Silicon nitride - a versatile all-rounder among materials
Silicon nitride is a high-performance material that impresses with its versatility in numerous areas of application.
- Thanks to its low density, silicon nitride is particularly light, which makes it ideal for systems with rotating or swivelling movements.
- Similar to aluminium oxide, silicon nitride is characterised by its high hardness and excellent chemical resistance.
- At the same time, it offers impressive impact strength, similar to that of zirconium oxide.
These properties make silicon nitride an indispensable material in mechanical and plant engineering.
A decisive advantage of silicon nitride is its exceptional temperature and thermal shock resistance.
The material remains solid even at temperatures of almost 1,000°C and shows hardly any thermal expansion. Silicon nitride is therefore frequently used in demanding environments such as induction systems.
Aluminium oxide - Versatile and cost-efficient
Aluminium oxide is an outstanding material that demonstrates its versatility in numerous applications. It is cheaper than other high-performance ceramics and often also cheaper than carbide.
- The outstanding properties of aluminium oxide include excellent abrasion resistance and a hardness that almost matches that of diamonds.
- The material also offers high chemical resistance, for example to acids and alkalis, as well as exceptional temperature resistance of up to 1,750°C.
- Its excellent electrical insulation properties and dielectric strength also make aluminium oxide the ideal choice for electrical applications.
- The profile is complemented by high thermal conductivity, which is valued in numerous industries.
Thanks to a purity of 99.7 %, the strength and corrosion resistance of aluminium oxide has been further increased. These properties make it an indispensable material for demanding applications in industry and technology.