Welcome to the blog for Advanced Ceramic Engineering (ACE), a company with over 40 years of experience in the production and design of precision and technical ceramics. Based in Northern Ireland, we are one of the leading suppliers of alumina components in the UK and offer custom manufacturing to fit your specific requirements.
At ACE, we specialize in alumina bodies for high grade and purity alumina ceramics, also known as precision ceramics, technical ceramics, high-tech ceramics, advanced ceramics, or engineered ceramics. These materials have a wide range of applications in industries such as electronics, aerospace, chemical processing, vacuum and semi-conductor, pump and valve, lasers and medical, and chemical and wear applications. Our team has developed a range of alumina materials to cater to the diverse service conditions demanded by these high-tech industries.
The expertise and skill of our employees, most of whom are ex-Seagoe Ceramics, ensures that we provide top-quality products and services. Our production process involves manufacturing from raw milled alumina, isostatic pressing, ‘green’ machining, sintering, and diamond grinding. These tried and trusted methods, combined with the latest innovations and the dedication of our workforce, make ACE an industry leader in the field of precision and technical ceramics.
One of the key materials that we specialize in is high purity alumina. In this post, we will take a closer look at the properties and uses of this material.
Properties of High Purity Alumina
Firstly, let’s define what high purity alumina is. It is a form of aluminum oxide, also known as alumina (Al2O3), that has a purity level of over 99.9%. This makes it one of the most commercially important and widely used technical ceramics.
High purity alumina has a number of exceptional properties that make it ideal for a wide range of industrial applications. These include:
1. High strength: With a maximum strength of up to 580 MPa (84,000 psi), high purity alumina is one of the strongest technical ceramics available.
2. Excellent hardness: With a hardness level of 1500-1700 Vickers, high purity alumina is almost as hard as diamond. This makes it extremely resistant to wear and abrasion.
3. Exceptional resistance to corrosion: High purity alumina is highly resistant to chemical attack and can withstand harsh environments, making it ideal for use in corrosive environments.
4. Low thermal conductivity: This material has a
