Pressed Technical Ceramics

Pressed technical ceramics

Overview: Pressed Technical Ceramics

Pressed ceramic products complete the range of ceramics supplied by Final Advanced Materials. This range is suitable for applications which are subject to less severe constraints. The requisite properties for these applications are achieved by firing to a temperature in excess of 1,000 °C, i.e. a temperature which is lower than that required for the production of sintered or machinable ceramics.

Parts are produced by shaping in dry presses, by a liquid method, or by extrusion. Treatment is possible in the raw state.

We supply the following ceramics as standard products:

  • Mullite
  • Steatite
  • Porous steatite
  • Cordierite
  • Porous cordierite

Applications of Pressed Technical Ceramics

  • Support for heating conductors
  • Spark protection
  • Gas engineering
  • Electric heating systems
  • Components for cartridge heaters
  • Electric heat accumulators
  • Electrical resistors

Benefits of Pressed Technical Ceramics

  • Hardness
  • High mechanical resistance
  • Dimensional stability, even at high temperatures
  • Resistance to wear and corrosion
  • Electrically insulating
  • High-temperature withstand
  • Chemical resistance
  • Dielectric and ferro-electric properties

Comparative Table

Property

Ceramic

Metal

Polymer

Hardness

High

Low

Bad

Elastic Modulus

High

Good

Low

Resistance to High Temperature

High

Low

Bad

Thermal Expansion

Low

Good

Good

Malleability

Low

Good

Good

Corrosion Resistance

Good

Low

Low

Erosion Resistance

Good

Low

Low

Electrical Conductivity

Low

Good

Low

Density

Average

High

Low

Thermal Conductivity

Average

Good

Low

Design

Ceramics are materials which are subject to particular design considerations, as they are not ductile and have a very high melting point. Preliminary powdering is necessary, prior to the consolidation of the material form at a high temperature. Various processes are available for this purpose: these include the liquid, plastic, or dry method.

Final Advanced Materials employs the liquid method for the formation of its basic ceramic products. The powdered raw material is dispersed in a solvent, together with a binder. This solid material in suspension forms the ceramic slip. It is then compacted in a tool in order to obtain the desired component. This step is described as extrusion. The extrudate must then be allowed to dry, before being fired at a high temperature. During sintering, the material grains bond together to consolidate the final product.

Our range of Pressed Technical Ceramics

Mullite

Mullite is a ceramic which is produced artificially, on the grounds of its rarity in the natural state. It is comprised of kaolin or clay, mixed with alumina and silica. These elements are transformed into mullite after firing. Mullite is valued for its refractory properties: low thermal expansion, low thermal conductivity, excellent thermo-mechanical stability and excellent resistant to thermal impacts. It also shows good resistance to deformation – a useful property for components which are exposed to high pressure.

Synthetic Steatite

Two types of synthetic steatite, by opposition to natural steatite which is used in machinable ceramics, are avalaible:

Non-Porous Steatite

Non-porous steatite is a very delicate mineral, the main component of which is talc. It provides a cost-effective option for insulation and machining, without the necessity for particular tooling. Its electrical resistance remains high, even at high temperatures, and it shows good mechanical resistance.

Porous Steatite

Porous steatite has similar properties to normal steatite. However, it shows a lower mechanical resistance, and is more resistant to thermal impacts, due to its porosity.

Synthetic Cordierite

Two types of synthetic cordierite, by opposition to natural cordierite which is used in machinable ceramics, are avalaible:

Non-Porous Cordierite

Non-porous cordierite is a rock which is equally at home in jewellery as in the refractory industry. It has multiple qualities: low thermal conductivity and a low coefficient of expansion, resistance to heat, low dielectric losses, resistance to corrosion, particularly by molten metals, and excellent high-pressure vacuum withstand. Moreover, its limited thermal expansion is beneficial for components with stringent tolerances.

Porous cordierite

Porous cordierite shares numerous properties with normal cordierite. However, it has a lower mechanical resistance. Its porosity nevertheless permits the more effective accommodation of thermal impacts.

Comparative Table

A comparative table for the available pressed technical ceramics can be downloaded in the data sheet.

Physical variables included in this documentation are provided by way of indication only and do not, under any circumstances, constitute a contractual undertaking. Please contact our technical service if you require any additional information.

Pressed Technical Ceramics (209.78k)

Data Sheet: Pressed Technical Ceramics