Ceramics & Hard, Brittle Materials
Ceramic materials are inorganic, non-metallic materials made from compounds of a metal and a non-metal.
Ceramics may be crystalline or non-crystalline and are strong, stiff, brittle, chemically inert and do
not conduct heat or electricity but properties vary widely.
Ceramics are strong in compression and weak in shearing and tension which make them challenging to saw, grind, lap and polish.
Crystalline ceramics are made by using various forming processes whereas non-crystalline ceramics, which are glasses, tend to be formed from melts.
Both types of ceramics require diamond tooling for machining and diamond slurries for polishing and finishing.
Some examples of ceramic types and applications:
| Ceramic Type |
Application |
| Barium Titanate |
Data Storage Elements |
| Bismuth Strontium Calcium Copper Oxide |
High Temperature Superconductor |
| Boron Oxide |
Body Armor |
| Boron Nitride |
Lubricant or Abrasive (based on crystal type) |
| Earthenware |
Plates & Mugs |
| Ferrite |
Transformers (Magnetic Cores) |
| Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) |
Ultrasonic Transducer |
| Magnesium Diboride (MgB2) |
Superconductor |
| Porcelain |
Household Products |
| Sialon (Silicon Aluminum Oxynitride) |
Chemical Industry (non-ferrous molten metal handling) |
| Silicon Carbide (SiC) |
Abrasive, refractory material, susceptor in microwave furnace |
| Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) |
Abrasive |
| Steatite (Mg Silicates) |
Electrical Insulator |
| Titanium Carbide (TiC) |
Scratchproof Watches/Heat Shield for Shuttle Re-entry |
| Uranium Oxide (UO2) |
Nuclear Reactor Fuel |
| Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa2Cu3O7-x) |
High Temperature Superconductor |
| Zinc Oxide (ZnO) |
Semiconductor/Varistor |
| Zirconium Dioxide (ZnO2) |
Automotive Oxygen Sensor & Fuel Cells |
| Partially Satbilized Zirconia (PSZ) |
Less Brittle Ceramic — Bearings & Components in severe abrasive environments |
Applications
Ceramics & Hard Brittle Materials Engineers, R&D and Production Staff are encouraged to contact
Chemetall Precision Microchemicals for detailed information.