T H E C E R A M I C E X P E R T S

From THe experTs For AdvAnCed CerAmiCs

AdvAncedcerAmics

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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CeramTec GmbH

CeramTec-Platz 1–9

73207 Plochingen, Germany

Telephone: +49-7153-6 11-0

Fax: +49-7153-2 54 21

info@ceramtec.de

www.ceramtec.com