Alumina
Alumina is the most widely used technical ceramic, being the ceramic of choice in about 80% of engineering applications due to its versatile combination of properties.
Fired at over 1600 °C / 2900 °F to give a fully dense technical ceramic, alumina has:
- Excellent thermal stability – Alumina can be used in both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres up to 1600°C (2910°F) and in vacuum furnaces up to 1750°C (3180°F).
- No open porosity – Alumina provides a non-permeable surface that protects from contamination and can be used to create a gas-tight assembly.
- High chemical resistance – Alumina is chemically inert and not corroded by water or steam. It offers good resistance to corrosive substances such as strong acids or alkalis, even at elevated temperatures.
- Wear resistance – The hardness of alumina is nearly as good as diamond. Compared to metal and steel materials, alumina is hundred times harder and has a service life that ten times longer. Its density is only half of steel, significantly decreasing the load applied on the parts and machine.
- Strong electrical insulation – Alumina is also widely used as an electrically insulating material. It can be used for insulators operating at elevated temperatures (e.g. furnace lead-in tubes, fuel-cells).
- Manufacturable to tight tolerances – Alumina has the ability to be machined during manufacture, allowing us to achieve tight tolerances and fine surface finishes.
Alumina is often used as a replacement for metallic components in demanding engineering applications.
IPS Ceramics supply 95% alumina for general applications below 1450 ºC / 2650 °F. 99% alumina is used for applications involving higher temperatures (up to 1600 ºC / 2900 °F) or where a greater chemical resistance is required.
Zirconia Toughened Alumina is also available.
Alumina Products from IPS Ceramics
Alumina Discs, Plates and Tiles
Alumina tiles are often used as substrates for mounting electronic packages, providing good heat dissipation and electrical insulation. Other uses include non-reactive supports for thermal processing. Tiles are available in sizes up to 400mm square with thicknesses from 25mm down to 0.4mm. Laser cutting allows thin tiles to be ‘drilled’, cut or scored to order.
Alumina Tubes and Rods
IPS stocks ceramic tubes and rods in 99% alumina with other grades available to order. Thermally stable up to 1600oC, our high quality ceramic tubes and rods can be specified in different diameters and lengths. Tubes can have either open or closed ends.
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Alumina Crucibles and Boats
Alumina is the material of choice for sample holders and high-tech test equipment used at elevated temperatures. We stock various sizes and shapes of Alumina Crucibles and Boats from 1cm³ to 20cm³ (with non-standard shapes and sizes available to order). Matching lids are available for many items.
Alumina Ignition Trays
Ignition trays are used in a wide variety of industrial processes and tests. We offer trays in 95% alumina which is suitable for most applications. Sizes up to 20cm long and 2cm deep are typical.
Alumina Spacers - Stilts, Pins and Pips
Where an item needs lifting or separating from the furnace base/batt, alumina stilts, pips or pins can be used. The chemical stability of alumina helps to avoid interaction with the product and these alumina supports (often described as ‘consumable’ or ‘disposable’) can normally be re-used many times. We offer a range of sizes and designs.
Bespoke Alumina Shapes
We can design and manufacture a range of bespoke alumina shapes to fit your exact requirements. We can make very complex components to very tight tolerances. We can manufacture Alumina pieces through casting, injection moulding, extrusion, dry / isostatic pressing, and 3D printing.
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Alumina Module System
Used by the laboratory, research and EV Battery industries, IPS Ceramics’ Alumina Module System is a compact and highly versatile modular system that can be used to hold multiple small components during heat treatment. The sizes of Alumina Module can be adjusted based on your exact requirements, and individual Alumina Modules can be easily stacked.
Alumina Bubble Bricks
Used by the EV Battery industry for firing volatile lithium compounds, as well as in applications involving high temperatures, these highly insulating kiln bricks are suitable for use in temperatures up to 1800 °C. Their high alumina content makes them resistant to chemical attacks from kiln atmosphere.
Alumina Extrusion Cores and Inserts
Used in the heavy clay and brickmaking industries to create holes and cutouts within extruded products. Alumina’s strength and high wear resistance gives our extrusion cores an extremely long service life, particularly when compared to standard metal cores.
Alumina Sleeves, Liners and Rams
Alumina sleeves, liners and rams are used in heavy duty pumps operating in a wide range of industrial applications. The high wear resistance of alumina allows these pumps to cope with unwanted grit and solids, allowing for effective and long-term usage. Our Alumina Sleeves often last three or more times longer than conventional sleeves.
Wear Resistant Alumina Batts, Plates, Tiles and Shelves
Wear Resistant Tiles are typically applied to the interior surface of a steel shell, providing them with vastly improved strength and durability. Our tiles have exceptional resistance to abrasion, impact and corrosion, giving them a significantly long service life even in high-wear applications.