Materials

One of the most common properties of engineered ceramics is extreme hardness (& stiffness) – some are more than 4 times harder than stainless steel.

This high hardness directly translates into excellent wear resistance, meaning that many technical ceramics have the ability to keep their precise, high-tolerance finish much longer than any other material.

Another common property of technical ceramics is their low density. This is significantly lighter than stainless steel and titanium with only the much softer aluminum being similar in density.

Due to their high hardness and low weight, technical ceramics are increasingly being used in a variety of industries in applications where no other material can match their performance & long life.

Technical ceramics tend to be excellent electric insulators (high dielectric strength). They are especially useful in high-temperature applications where other materials’ mechanical & thermal properties tend to degrade.

Some ceramics have low electrical loss & high dielectric permittivity; these are typically used in electronic applications like capacitors and resonators.

Technical ceramics have very high strength, however, this is only when compressed. For example, many technical ceramics can withstand extremely high loads ranging from 1000 to 4000 MPa.

Titanium on the other hand, which is regarded as a very strong metal, only has 1000 MPa of compressional strength.

Different types of technical ceramic materials have wildly varying thermal properties. There are some ceramics (Aluminum Nitride) that are highly thermally conductive and are commonly used as heat-sinks or exchangers in many electrical applications.

Other ceramics are much less thermally conductive, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

Technical ceramics can function in situations where no metal can maintain their properties. Some ceramics can operate in temperatures in excess of 1750°C, putting them in a class of their own as ultra-high-temperature materials. These ceramics have proven to be invaluable in high-temperature applications like engines, turbines, & bearings where they have increased the lifespan, performance, and efficiency.