T H E C E R A M I C E X P E R T S
From THe experTs For AdvAnCed CerAmiCs
AdvAncedcerAmics
© F
erro
staa
l/Hau
ke D
ress
ler
Often unseen, but always indispensable. Understated through perfect function. Indispensable for perfor
mance, safety and reliability. This is how we interact with CeramTec advanced ceramics every day, often
without even noticing them. When washing our hands, making espresso, talking on our cell phones,
driving our cars or at the dentist’s office. Everywhere where other materials are unable to satisfy
the specific demands of special areas of application. Or where high levels of functionality and safety
are required. There are already many areas of application that depend on the unrivaled properties
of advanced ceramics. And this material’s potential is far from being exhausted – because CeramTec
advanced ceramics offer decisive advantages and benefits for meeting the challenges of the future.
sAFeTy And FunCTionAliTy ExPErTs
equipmenT, mACHine And plAnT
enGineerinG experTs
CeramTec advanced ceramics make it possi-
ble to securely control processes, reduce
emissions and take responsible care of our
resources in many areas of chemicals and
process engineering. Highest wear resist-
ance, temperature resistance and high corro-
sion resistance make CeramTec advanced
ceramics a reliable alternative to other
materials in equipment, machine and plant
engineering. Whether in chemical, environ-
mental or energy technology, in precision
engineering or in metal forming – CeramTec
products make a decisive contribution to in-
creasing the operating life and performance
capability of machines and plants. Metal-
working is a good example where high-per-
formance machining with our sPK cutting
materials and tools offers high process
reliability along with economic and efficient
production by decisively reducing production
times and costs.
AuTomoTive
indusTry experTs
CeramTec advanced ceramics play a vital role
in increasing safety, cost-effectiveness and
comfort in vehicle engineering. Piezo-ceramic
components act as sensors for electronic
controls and provide them with information
on the vehicle’s engine running smoothness,
position and changes in direction. Electronic
components based on ceramic substrates
react to this information and control motor
management, safety systems like ABs and
Asr and release the airbag when necessary.
In engines heat-resistant ceramic parts like
valve components, backings in the crank-
shaft housing and components for gasoline
and water pumps ensure increased efficiency,
less wear and lower noise emission. As a
composite MMC Metal Matrix Ceramics
open up new horizons in light metal con-
struction. And last but not least, modern
LED lighting systems with ceramic compo-
nents significantly improve visibility and pro-
tective ceramics deliver the required safety.
i Infobox
AreAs oF AppliCATion
AdvAnCed CerAmiCs
Chemicals and process engineering•
Equipment, machine and •
plant engineering
Energy supply and •
environmental technology
Metalworking•
recycling and processing•
sanitary fittings•
Water treatment•
Engine and turbine construction•
sensor and actuator technology•
Lighting systems•
Electronics and •
communications technology
Medical devices•
Medical implants and •
prosthetics
2 3
sAFe
Ty A
nd
Fun
CTi
on
Ali
Ty
eleCTroniCs experTs
Our substrates and many other components
are used throughout the field of electronics.
For example, ceramic heat-sinks provide the
right climate for high-power electronics.
Our components ensure reliable operation
in aerospace technology, the automotive
industry, optoelectronics, measurement and
control technology and in industry and enter-
tainment electronics. CeramTec is one of the
leading manufacturers of these components.
Electronics keep the world in contact and
in motion – CeramTec advanced ceramics
guarantee that everything works the way
we expect it to.
mediCAl produCTs experTs
Advanced ceramics are at work in a wide
range of medical devices, such as litho-
tripters and ultrasonic cleaners – or in dental
ceramics in the field of dentistry. What’s
more, CeramTec bioceramics help maintain
and increase the quality of life, for instance
with implant components for artificial
hip and knee joints. Biocompatible and
extremely resilient advanced ceramics enable
doctors to provide patients with optimum
care and help patients master the challenges
of everyday life again. Today, every minute,
a hip joint replacement featuring BIOLOx®
components is implanted around the world.
THe divisions’ produCT porTFolios
AppliCATion ExPErTsComprehensive material, production and application expertise combined with over 100 years of experience
make us the leading advanced ceramics specialist for every area of application. As part of an overall,
useroriented organization, independent divisions at CeramTec are responsible for customer support
in individual market segments. Every division represents a specific range of services – from development
to production all the way to sales. For our customers, this means: proximity, flexible, dynamic partners,
a high level of expertise and rapid decisions.
Chemical Applications
Catalyst substrates, pyrometry tubes, aluminum
titanate components for foundries for metal casting,
grinding accessories, laboratory porcelain, special
components, protection and insulating tubes.
electronic Applications
substrates made of Al2O3 and AIN for micro-
electronics and high-performance electronics,
passive components and substrates for inductors
and resistors. Ceramic heat-sinks CeramCool®.
Fuel cell components.
mechanical Applications
Components for forming processes, components for
use in machine- and plant engineering, textile
industries and special components for special
applications.
medical products
BIOLOx® components for hip joint prostheses and
knee prostheses – millions of implants worldwide.
multifunctional Ceramics
system components for electrical and thermal
insulation, automotive and precision engineering.
Metallized alumina for electronics.Piezo-ceramics
for sensor and actuator technology.
spK Cutting Tools
Inserts and customized tool systems for turning,
milling and drilling cast iron and hardened steels.
mechanical systems
seal and regulator discs for sanitary fittings and
devices, triduon® cartridges for faucets, components
for pumps and compressors, parts and components
for the automotive industry.
4 5
div
isio
ns
An
d
sub
sid
iAr
ies
CeramTec-eTeC GmbH, Germany
Wear protection solutions for more reliability and
increased economy. Ballistic protective ceramics
for personnel, vehicle and asset protection.
emil müller GmbH, Germany
Cores for piston manufacturing.
CeramTec suzhou ltd., China
Components for textile machinery, laser
processing of substrates, seal and regulator
discs for fittings and devices.
CeramTec uK ltd., Great britain
Fuse bodies, substrates for resistors
and gas igniters, lasered substrates.
CeramTec Korea ltd., Korea
Laser processing.
CeramTec innovative Ceramic engineering,
(m) sdn. bhd., malaysia
Dipping formers for manufacturing rubber gloves
for medical, industrial and household use.
CeramTec Czech republic s.r.o.
seal and regulator discs for sanitary fittings
and devices, components for use in machine
and equipment engineering made from
silicon carbide.
CeramTec north America Corp., usA
Vacuum-sealed Ceramaseal®, ceramic, metal
and glass-ceramic compounds. Components
for the automotive, electronics, industrial and
armor markets.
durawear Corporation, usA
Corrosion and wear ceramics.
THe subsidiArys’ produCT porTFolios
CHinACeramTec suzhou
FrAnCeCeramTecbureau de représentationClichy
GreAT briTAinCeramTec uKdevon
iTAlyCeramTec Commerciale italianabergamo
KoreACeramTec Koreainnovative Ceramic engineeringsuwon City
mAlAysiACeramTec malaysiaseremban
swedenCeramTecscandinavian sales officeGothenburg
spAin And porTuGAlCeramTec ibérica,vilassar de mar/barcelona
CzeCH republiCCeramTec Czech republicsumperk
usACeramTec north Americalaurens, sC
durawear Corp.birmingham, Al
indiACeramTec office indiamumbai
russiACeramTec office russiamoscow
brAzilCeramTec psT press sintertécnica brazilnova odessa / estado de são paulo
mexiCoCeramTec psT mexicopuebla
polAndCeramTec psT press + sinter TechnologyGorzyce
souTH AFriCACeramTec-eTeCpretoria north
With a comprehensive range of products and services, the CeramTec Group satisfies the necessary pre
requisites for playing an active role in international markets. However, this also requires a local presence.
In addition to locations in Germany, worldwide subsidiaries, sales organizations, offices and trading
partners ensure we are as close to our customers as possible.
mArKeT ExPErTs
i Infobox
CerAmTeC FACTs
Over 100 years of experience in •
Advanced Ceramics
More than 3,000 employees •
worldwide
Production sites and subsidiaries •
in Europe, Asia and America
6 7
loC
ATi
on
s
wo
rld
wid
e
CeramTec
ebersbach/Fils
sPK Cutting Tools •
division
CeramTec
plochingen
CeramTec Group headquarters
Medical Products division•
Mechanical Applications division•
CeramTec-eTeC
lohmar
Protective ceramics •
and wear and
corrosion protection
CeramTec
marktredwitz
Chemical Applications division•
Electronic Applications division•
Medical Products division•
CeramTec
wittlich
Mechanical systems division•
emil müller
wilhermsdorf
Preforms foundry equipment•
CeramTec
lauf
Multifunctional Ceramics division•
Mechanical systems division•
GermAny
CeramTec
Detailed contact information
is available at:
www.ceramtec.com
CerAmiC mATeriAls ExPErTsEach application and each ceramic component places individual demands on the capabilities and properties
of the material. Therefore, the successful deployment of a product depends above all on selecting the
correct material, finetuning it and designing the component. This is the domain of the ceramic materials
experts at CeramTec, who know the optimal advanced ceramic material for each requirement profile, and
hence the optimal solution to the problem.
oxide CerAmiCs
AluminA
Alumina in its various levels of purity is
probably the most important oxide ceramic
material. CeramTec has a wide range of
low-density and lightweight materials with
a variety of property combinations at its
disposal:
High to extremely high mechanical •
strength
Good thermal conductivity•
High corrosion and wear resistance•
Good gliding properties•
Very good electrical insulation•
zirConium oxide
Depending on their crystal structure,
zirconium oxides can exhibit pseudo-elastic
reactions, thus enabling extremely high
component strengths. Alongside their
excellent tribological properties with respect
to friction and wear on objects that move in
opposite directions, zirconium oxides also
demonstrate:
Extraordinary fracture toughness•
High wear resistance•
High corrosion resistance•
Low thermal conductivity•
A coefficient of expansion similar to steel•
This has helped zirconium oxides gain ground
as structural materials for components subject
to high stress: Wherever wear resistance,
corrosion resistance or electrical and thermal
insulation are required, zirconium oxide is the
ideal material in machine and equipment
engineering, making it possible to develop
new areas of use or replace steel components.
Aluminum TiTAnATe
This material is unique in that it does not
expand, even at high temperatures. Compo-
nents made of this material can withstand
even the most abrupt temperature changes
of several hundred degrees without damage.
Aluminum titanate is characterized by:
Excellent thermal shock resistance•
High thermal insulation•
A low Young’s modulus•
Good chemical resistance•
These properties make aluminum titanate
especially ideal for use in metallurgical
melting.
siliCATe CerAmiC
silicate ceramics are considered traditional
materials and exhibit the following out-
standing properties:
• Very good electrical and thermal insulation
capacity
High temperature cycle resistance•
Minimal and/or predefined thermal •
expansion
Corrosion resistance•
These advantages and favorable processing
conditions make silicate ceramics highly eco-
nomical solutions for insulation components
for the electronics industry, for the automotive
sector, for electrical, heating and lighting
technology and for environmental, thermal,
precision and measurement technology.
piezo-CerAmiCs
Thanks to their unique, active properties,
piezo-ceramics have already made their
mark in a wide variety of application areas.
The piezo-ceramic manufacturing process is
specifically targeted to give these materials
unusual properties in these combinations,
which enable piezo-ceramic components to:
Transform pressure, expansion or •
acceleration into electrical energy
• Transform electrical voltage into mechanical
action or oscillation
Piezo-ceramics are characterized by their
high energy density and efficiency.
TemperaTureresIsTance
BendIng fracTure andcompressIve sTrengTh
corrosIon resIsTan ceand BIocompaTIBIlIT y
hardness and wear resIsTance
ThermalInsulaTIon
8 9
Cer
Am
iC m
ATe
riA
ls
An
d T
Hei
r p
ro
per
Ties
non-oxide CerAmiCs
siliCon CArbide
silicon carbide materials are extremely light
but almost comparable to diamond in terms
of hardness and temperature resistance.
special characteristics include:
Very high hardness•
Excellent corrosion resistance even at •
very high application temperatures
Thermal shock resistance•
Very high thermal conductivity •
(higher than steel)
Low thermal expansion•
High wear resistance and very good •
gliding properties
silicon carbide masters corrosion, abrasion
and erosion as skillfully as it stands up to
frictional wear. Components are used in
chemical plants, mills, expanders and ex-
truders or as nozzles, for example. silicon
carbide’s non-toxicological character makes
it ideal for use in the food and beverage
industry. Another typical application area
for silicon carbide components is dynamic
sealing technology using friction bearings
and mechanical seals, for instance in pumps
and drive systems. Compared to metals,
silicon carbide enables highly economical
solutions with longer tool life when used
with aggressive, high-temperature media.
silicon carbide fittings are also excellently
suited for use in demanding conditions in
chemical production, energy technology,
paper manufacturing and as pipe system
components.
siliCon niTride
silicon nitride materials are perfectly suited
for manufacturing mechanically stressed
components and for engine-specific appli-
cations, especially at high temperatures.
They possess remarkable characteristics:
High mechanical strength•
High fracture toughness and impact •
resistance
Excellent wear resistance•
Good thermal conductivity•
Very low thermal expansion•
Thermal shock resistance•
These characteristics and its low weight
make silicon nitride an excellent material
choice for demanding applications. This is
why components made of silicon nitride
ceramics are successfully used in various
welding processes, for example.
Aluminum niTride
Among other applications, aluminum
nitrides are suitable for use as electrical
insulation materials in micro electronics,
as resonator materials in aluminum
metal lurgy and in laser technology or as
heat exchangers. They are characterized by:
Very high thermal conductivity•
High electrical insulation capacity•
Favorable temperature cycle resistance•
Good metallization characteristics•
Low thermal expansion•
Moreover, aluminum nitrides are used
to make substrates for semi-
conductors and high-
performance
electronics.
ComposiTe mATeriAls
meTAl-CerAmiC ComposiTes
Composite materials are required when using
light metal components in stress conditions.
For composite components from metal and
ceramics (Metal Matrix Composites, MMC
or Ceramic Matrix Composites, CMC), a
metallic substrate is hardened with ceramic
particles for reinforcement. The low weight
of the metal can thus be combined with the
resistance of ceramics under tribological,
mechanical and thermal loads. Highly porous
ceramic preforms are infiltrated by the light
metal during the casting process and thus
assure a seamless transition between metal
and ceramic material. Wherever lightweight
metallic components need to be reinforced
or optimized, the use of metal/ceramic
composites is a technically and economically
attractive solution.
elecTrIc InsulaTIonand dIelecTrIc sTrengTh
corrosIon resIsTan ceand BIocompaTIBIlIT y
chemIcal resIsTance
heaT conducTIvITy andThermal shock resIsTance
pIezoelecTrIcITyand dynamIcs
ExPErTs For THe CHAllenGesoF THe FuTure
developmenT experTs
Each field of application calls for its own
development work and close interaction
among users, designers and ceramics
experts.
Basically everything is possible. Comprehen-
sive technology management controls the
myriad research and development facilities
at CeramTec. Modern methods like design
of experiments and simulation techniques
guarantee rapid development times.
Experienced employees from the research,
development and application engineering
departments are available right from the
start to help you realize your product ideas.
Together with your experts we engage in
dialog to define the application conditions,
specification criteria and constructive pre-
requisites and develop economical solutions.
Our innovation management delivers the
expertise our customers need for advanced
solutions.
sysTems experTs
The only way to create true added value and
achieve success is to optimally integrate
ceramic components within the system as a
whole. This is why the experts at CeramTec
do not think in terms of products, but rather
in terms of system solutions. Comprehensive
expertise in connection and integration
technology creates economical, ceramics-
oriented solutions for every application.
Continuous improvement of functional
safety, optimization of component resilience,
leveraging of savings potential and concen-
tration on a single system supplier makes
our ceramics expertise a true advantage for
our customers.
Continued miniaturization in electronics, innovative surface technologies, trends and developments in
the healthcare, neoecology (including regenerative energies), mobility and communications technology
markets – the challenges of the future are multifaceted and demand innovative solutions. Advanced
ceramic materials open up new, undreamed of possibilities for design engineers and developers that take
us to new dimensions. The experts at CeramTec help maximize the potential of advanced ceramics. Their
extensive experience makes them indispensable partners on the path to new solutions and applications.
They are specialists whose expertise ensures the greatest safety and probability of success in the develop
ment process.
10 11
THe
FuTu
re
in s
ysT
ems,
dev
elo
pmen
T, p
ro
du
CTi
on
produCTion experTs
The manufacturing and processing methods
for advanced ceramics are as varied as the
options available for their use and the pre-
cisely tuned materials. Every material, and
every component design requires individu-
alized production technology. As production
experts we have had over 100 years to per-
fect these methods.
Monitored processes form the basis for pro-
duction in which customized prototypes are
produced with the same precision and re-
liability as standard parts in mass production.
Processes like extrusion, pressing, injection
and casting help form the raw ceramic mass
into complex geometries. Our furnaces pro-
duce high-quality products with fine crystal
microstructures under predefined conditions.
Taking into consideration the exact amount
of unavoidable shrinkage is part of the com-
plex skill set of an expert manufacturer like
CeramTec. The final finishing process trans-
forms raw ceramic products into precision
components.
quAliTy experTs
As a specialist for the development, produc-
tion and sale of innovative products made
from advanced ceramics, CeramTec is com-
mitted to uncompromising quality in every
area of business. For CeramTec this means:
Being a step ahead today in order to meet
our customers’ expectations tomorrow.
i Infobox
CerTiFiCATions demonsTrATe
our ConsisTenT quAliTy
pHilosopHy:
DIN IsO 9001•
IsO Ts 16949•
DIN EN IsO 13485•
DIN EN IsO 14001•
IsO 27001•
T H E C E R A M I C E X P E R T S CA
110
010
· EN
· 50
0 · 1
103
· ech
olot
(519
0) ·
Prin
ted
in G
erm
any
CeramTec GmbH
CeramTec-Platz 1–9
73207 Plochingen, Germany
Telephone: +49-7153-6 11-0
Fax: +49-7153-2 54 21
www.ceramtec.com