Industrial ceramics (also known as engineering ceramics or high-performance ceramics) typically contain more complex compounds, including alumina, carbides, nitrides, borides, and zirconium oxide. Industrial ceramics, under different formulations or processes, can achieve certain engineering properties or specific combinations of several properties, thus frequently replacing metals, polymers, and refractories in various applications.
Alumina – High Cost-Effectiveness (Earthenware)
Alumina ceramics are a porous and opaque type of ceramic. Unlike vitrified translucent porcelain, it requires glazing to prevent water seepage for liquids. Although not particularly hard, less dense than porcelain and kaolin, and more prone to breakage, it possesses the advantages of earthenware, such as resistance to deformation at low firing temperatures and high stability during production and processing.
Material characteristics: Generally sintered at temperatures below 1200 degrees Celsius; less deformation during firing than porcelain; diverse processing techniques; low cost; more fragile than porcelain.
Typical applications: Wide range of applications, from large sanitary ware to cups and saucers.
Bone China
Bone china is indeed named for its bone ash content. It is a mixture of 50% bone ash, 25% quartz, feldspar (porcelain stone), and mica. Bone china differs slightly from porcelain in its whiteness. While both are translucent, bone china is more delicate and smooth. Porcelain and bone china have become synonymous with high quality and high price.
Material Characteristics: Bisque-fired at around 1200 degrees Celsius; high strength; translucent; purest white; waterproof; requires higher firing temperatures than ordinary porcelain; can be glazed at low temperatures.
Typical Uses: This high-quality British porcelain is commonly used in the production of various tableware. Kaolin can be used in the production of various types of porcelain, as well as in abrasives, refractories, electronic insulators, paints, and fillers in plastic molds to reduce moisture absorption.
Macor – Machinable Ceramics
Macor is a high-strength, rigid material that is very white and polishable. After processes such as drilling, grinding, turning, sawing, polishing, and rolling, the processing properties of this material are closer to those of metals than ceramics. Its high strength and rigidity allow it to be processed using all the aforementioned metal processing techniques, eliminating the need for expensive molds and preventing shrinkage and movement during sintering. It is an ideal material for creating physical models of products or for low-volume production where production time and cost need to be minimized.
Material Properties: Can be machined and cut with ordinary metalworking tools; heat resistant up to 1000 degrees Celsius; no quenching required after machining; non-porous and does not shrink.
Typical Applications: Electrical insulators and thermal insulators, components, electronic equipment.