Industrial technical ceramics are not just ceramic materials. They are materials engineered to operate in complex conditions, where high temperatures, thermal stress, chemical agents and mechanical stresses put a strain on the components. Technical ceramics are formulated and produced to meet these specific requirements and taking into account the different properties:
Choosing the correct material is therefore a critical step in the design of industrial housings, thermocouple sheaths, ferrules, furnace plates, electrical insulators and technical refractories. That's why we develop technical ceramic components designed to withstand high temperatures and the most demanding industrial applications.
Thermal conductivity measures a material's ability to transmit heat. In industrial applications, it may be necessary to promote heat transfer or, conversely, limit it to protect components and systems. Technical ceramics offer a wide range of behaviours with regard to thermal conductivity:
Ceramics with low conductivity are particularly suitable for thermal insulation functions, while materials such as high-purity alumina allow for greater heat dissipation. Proper thermal management helps to increase the efficiency of the systems and the life of the components.
A thermal shock occurs when a material is subjected to abrupt changes in temperature. In these conditions, internal tensions can be generated that cause cracks, deformations and sudden breaks. The ability to withstand thermal shock is critical for components used in industrial furnaces, thermal plants, and high-temperature processes. Among the most performing materials we find:
Each material expands when the temperature increases, and the coefficient of linear thermal expansion indicates how much a material varies in size as the temperature changes. The lower this value, the less the stretch and the greater the geometric stability of the component. This aspect is particularly important inside industrial furnaces, where excessive dimensional variations can generate tensions, deformations and breakages. Cordierite-based formulations are one of the most effective solutions when high dimensional reliability is required at high temperatures.
Dielectric strength measures the ability of a material to resist the passage of electric current without undergoing discharge phenomena. This property makes technical ceramics particularly suitable for the production of industrial insulators, supports for electrical resistances, components for electrical equipment, elements for electrothermal applications. Alumina and soapstone are particularly popular when high electrical performance combined with thermal resistance is required.
Many industrial processes expose materials to corrosive substances, aggressive vapours and chemically active atmospheres. In these contexts, resistance to chemical attack becomes a decisive property.
Alumina is one of the most performing solutions: as the percentage of aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) increases, resistance to aggressive chemicals generally increases. For this reason, it is often used in the petrochemical sector, chemical plants, ferrules for tube sheets, components exposed to acid fumes. Technical porcelain also offers good chemical resistance in many industrial applications.
Technical ceramics have high compressive strengths and good flexural performance. Although they offer high mechanical performance, ceramics remain materials for specific uses. They have limited impact resistance and require proper design of the component and operating conditions. Choosing the most suitable formulation allows you to achieve the best balance between mechanical, thermal and electrical performance.
Technical ceramics have high compressive strengths and good flexural performance. Although they offer high mechanical performance, ceramics remain materials for specific uses. They have limited impact resistance and require proper design of the component and operating conditions. Choosing the most suitable formulation allows you to achieve the best balance between mechanical, thermal and electrical performance.
| Material | Maximum temperature | Main properties |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain C110 | 1100 °C |
|
| Steatite C221 | 1200 °C |
|
| Cordierite | 1200 °C |
|
| Mullite | Up to 1400 °C |
|
| Alumina | Up to 1600 °C |
|
