Fine Ceramics, sometimes referred to as "advanced ceramics," are engineered materials that support the development of cutting-edge technology.

Strength (1)

Extreme Hardness Surpassing that of Metals

Hardness

Rigidity

Toughness

Specific gravity

The signature feature of Fine Ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics") is their extreme hardness; as a result, they have valuable use in high-performance applications, such as industrial cutting tools for milling and grinding metals.
A material's hardness is determined by measuring the size of an indentation made by a sharp diamond pressed strongly onto a material specimen. The hardness of alumina ceramics is nearly three times that of stainless steel; silicon carbide is more than four times harder than stainless steel. This extreme hardness is one of many unique properties that makes Fine Ceramics "super materials" for modern technology.

Watch this video to learn about the unique Hardness of Fine Ceramics

Applications: Cutting tools and bearings.

Introduction to the types of Fine Ceramics (materials) and various characteristics

Description

Hardness

The hardness of Fine Ceramics is generally indicated using a Vickers hardness number. The method for measuring the hardness of Fine Ceramics is defined in JIS R 1610 (ISO 14705: 2000). Vickers hardness is a resistance value obtained by pressing a diamond indenter onto a test specimen.
Extreme hardness is the primary feature that endows Fine Ceramics with their superior wear resistance. This has led to the use of Fine Ceramics in a wide range of applications, including pump components, cutting tools, seal rings, bearings and a multitude of wear-resistant components for industrial equipment.

Vickers Hardness

figure:Vickers Hardness

For more information, please see Excerpt of Graph Values.

Wear Resistance

Fine Ceramics that exhibit excellent hardness also greatly surpass most metals in wear resistance. During wear resistance tests, small glass beads were continuously sprayed at high speeds onto Fine Ceramics and metals for extended periods of time. The Fine Ceramics displayed only about 10 percent of the abrasion observed in the stainless steel samples. Additionally, during a test in which disks with Fine Ceramics and metals attached were continuously rotated in wet sand for eight hours, the Fine Ceramics displayed considerably less abrasion.