Material and know-how

Technical ceramic components exhibit a high mechanical, chemical, thermal and electrical resistance.

Ceramic materials are inorganic, non-metallic materials and, by definition, are at least 30% crystalline.

A ceramic material is defined by the process of forming and subsequent sintering, typically at over 1500°C, whereby sintering determines the final properties of the material.

Generally two ceramic materials we use are:

Aluminium oxide Al2O3

Al2O3, more commonly known as alumina, is the most widely used and well researched ceramic material, attributable to its ready, worldwide availability, easy processing and low cost. Aluminium oxide is exceptionally tough and can meet most mechanical and chemical requirements.
It is preferred particularly for its high-temperature stability and extraordinary hardness, surpassed only by few materials (e.g. diamonds, SiC).
The material shows exceptionally good elecrical insulation properties and high dielectric strength, which enables many applications, for example as an electrical insulator.

Properties:Applications:
• resistant to very high operating temperatures • burner nozzles
• extraordinary hardness• laboratory crucibles
• very good corrosion resistance to acid and alkaline solutions• coil bodies
• bioinert • wire/thread guides
• good electrical insulation properties
• consistently high Young’s modulus

Zirkonoxid ZrO2

ZrO2 has the highest mechanical strength, with properties similar to steel (Young’s modulus, coefficient of thermal expansion), as well as very low thermal conductivity. Thanks to its excellent tribological properties, it has attracted particular attention in technology (sliding components) and in medical applications (artificial hip joints). The final properties of ZrO2 are determined by variable additions of dopants such as Y2O3, thereby widening the areas of application significantly compared to other ceramics.

Properties:Applications:
• Young’s modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion similar to steel• metal-ceramic composites
• high flexural strength• centring pins, ceramic springs
• high toughness• heat insulation
• very low thermal conductivity• tribological pairing

Silica-Based SiO2

SiO2 has been developed based on a mixture of silica with alumina and zircon. It is used for the production of casting cores for investment casting. Typical applications include single-crystal casting of turbine blades and ceramic shell casting. The requirements for producing new designs of multi-vane, complex feature cores go beyond the limits of consistently successful mould and tool-based processes. Sintered ceramic cores made from SiO2 have very low thermal dilatation up to 1500°C, high porosity, outstanding surface quality and very good leachability.

(Text source/material description: Lithoz GmbH)

Properties:Applications:
• Suitable for complex feature cores • Casting cores for investment casting
• Low thermal expansion • Single-crystal casting of turbine blades
• Excellent leachability • Ceramic shell casting

Know-how

Additive manufacturing
Using the LCM process (Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing), we are able to produce almost any geometry otherwise impossible with other forming methods. As this process avoids tooling costs, we can accommodate quantities as low as 1.

Steinbach AG – your professional partner for technical ceramics in 3D-printing

With us you have a professional contact partner serving you from the consulting up to the delivery of your 3D-ceramic components. Call us, we are looking forward to the new technical challenge.

Any queries regarding this product? Then contact us using this form or call:

+49 5231 9607-49

We will be happy to advise.

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