Technical resources
Practical resources for ceramic selection.
Build confidence before an RFQ: screen materials, compare properties and download material references for preliminary engineering review.
Have a technical enquiry? Michael · Sales Manager · admin@freewillmaterial.com
Interactive advisor
Screen ceramic materials by operating conditions.
This is a first-round recommendation tool. Final selection should review drawings, geometry, tolerance, grade and the actual failure mode.
Material Selection Advisor
Narrow options for a grade-specific review.
4 screening candidates
This tool uses preliminary temperature thresholds, not validated grade limits or an operating approval. Confirm grade, atmosphere, medium, concentration, load and geometry. Chemical and molten-metal compatibility require a separate review.
Screening candidate 1
Silicon Carbide (SiC)
- - Within this tool’s 1500 °C screening threshold; confirm grade and atmosphere
- - Wear-resistance profile aligns with your medium priority
- - Corrosion-resistant candidate; confirm the specific medium and concentration
Screening candidate 2
Silicon Nitride (Si3N4)
- - Within this tool’s 1200 °C screening threshold; confirm grade and atmosphere
- - Wear-resistance profile aligns with your medium priority
- - Moderate corrosion resistance; confirm medium and concentration
Screening candidate 3
Alumina (Al2O3)
- - Within this tool’s 1600 °C screening threshold; confirm grade and atmosphere
- - Wear-resistance profile aligns with your medium priority
- - Moderate corrosion resistance; confirm medium and concentration
Screening candidate 4
Aluminum Nitride (AlN)
- - Within this tool’s 900 °C screening threshold; confirm grade and atmosphere
- - Moderate thermal shock capability; geometry review recommended
- - Thermal conductivity is suitable for moderate heat transfer
Comparison tool
Compare technical properties side by side.
Select up to four materials to compare first-pass technical properties. Use this table to narrow options before sending drawings.
Select up to four materials. Remove one before adding another.
3 of 4 materials selected
| Property | Silicon Carbide | Alumina | Aluminum Nitride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula | SiC | Al2O3 | AlN |
| Density | 3.10 g/cm³ typical | 3.70-3.90 g/cm³ typical, purity dependent | 3.30 g/cm³ typical |
| Hardness | ≈20.6 GPa (converted from HV1 2100) | 15.7-17.2 GPa (converted from HV1 1600-1750) | Grade-specific; request test load and method |
| Temperature reference | 1,600 °C in air | 1,600-1,650 °C in air, purity dependent | Confirm grade, atmosphere and assembly limits |
| Thermal conductivity | 100 W/(m·K) | 20-32 W/(m·K) at room temperature, purity dependent | 170 W/(m·K) typical reference at room temperature; grade dependent |
| Flexural strength | 400 MPa typical at room temperature | 300-380 MPa typical at room temperature | Grade-specific; request the grade and bend-test method |
| Fracture toughness | 4.0 MPa·m¹/² typical | 3.5-4.0 MPa·m¹/² typical | 2.6 MPa·m¹/² typical |
| Electrical behavior | Usually semiconductive; resistivity depends on grade | Excellent electrical insulation | High electrical insulation |
Silicon Carbide
SSiC, RBSiC, RSIC and SiC-based ceramics
Alumina
95%, 96%, 99%, 99.5% and 99.7%+ alumina ceramics
Aluminum Nitride
High thermal conductivity electronic ceramics
Datasheet library
Downloadable material references.
Use these references for preliminary screening. Confirm grade-specific values, test methods and manufacturing requirements before ordering.
Silicon Carbide (SiC)
A high-hardness ceramic for severe wear, high temperature, thermal shock and chemically aggressive environments.
Download PDFSilicon Nitride (Si3N4)
A reliable structural ceramic for high load, impact, rolling contact and rapid temperature cycling.
Download PDFAlumina (Al2O3)
The most widely used technical ceramic for electrical insulation, wear resistance, chemical stability and cost-effective production.
Download PDFBoron Nitride (h-BN)
A machinable ceramic for thermal shock, high-temperature insulation and non-wetting contact with many molten metals.
Download PDFAluminum Nitride (AlN)
An electrically insulating ceramic for efficient heat dissipation in power electronics, LED and semiconductor applications.
Download PDFZirconia (ZrO2)
A high-toughness ceramic for close-tolerance wear parts, precision motion and contact-stress applications.
Download PDFApplication notes
Start with the component’s job.
Use these application-specific questions to prepare a focused technical review.
Electronic substrates: specify the complete stack
Bare ceramic, DBC, AMB and DPC are different purchasing requirements. Start with the circuit, heat path and assembly process rather than selecting by material name alone.
- Bare Al2O3 / AlN / Si3N4: confirm ceramic thickness, flatness, roughness, holes and outline.
- DBC: copper bonded to ceramic. Specify both copper layers and the ceramic separately.
- AMB: an active-metal braze joins metal to ceramic. Confirm the stack and thermal-cycling requirements.
- DPC: specify the patterned metal thickness, line/space, vias and surface finish against the drawing.
SiC seal faces: review the mating system
The ceramic ring is only one part of the seal. Review the material grade together with the counterface, fluid and lubrication conditions.
- Identify the SiC grade and whether reaction-bonded or sintered material is required.
- Provide fluid, concentration, temperature, pressure and rotational speed.
- Mark sealing-face finish, flatness and mounting dimensions on the drawing.
- Include starts/stops, solids and any dry-running exposure in the review.
Si3N4 protection tubes: define the installation
For molten-aluminium temperature measurement, tube geometry and installation conditions belong in the enquiry alongside the material grade.
- Specify alloy, melt temperature, immersion depth and exposure cycle.
- Confirm outer/inner diameter, closed-end geometry, length and mounting interface.
- Describe thermocouple fit, handling, cleaning and any flux exposure.
- Agree installation and preheating instructions for the selected component before use.
Technical library
Technical guidance for stronger sourcing decisions.
Read practical checklists for working conditions, manufacturing review and replacement-part evaluation. No form is required to read them.
Seal failure investigation
Investigating SiC Seal Face Grooves
Investigate SiC seal-face grooves using operating history, lubrication, debris, cracks and contact marks before specifying a replacement ring.
Read the guideSelection guide
Select the material around the working conditions
A practical sequence for narrowing ceramic materials without treating a datasheet maximum as a design limit.
Read the guideDesign & RFQ checklist
From drawing to a manufacturable ceramic part
Prepare the dimensions, process requirements and acceptance criteria that make a custom-part discussion productive.
Read the guidePurchasing worksheet
Compare replacement parts by cost per operating hour
A transparent way to evaluate a trial without assuming a service-life improvement or inventing savings.
Read the guideFoundry buying guide
How to specify Si3N4 thermocouple protection tubes for molten aluminum
A foundry-focused checklist for selecting a silicon nitride thermocouple protection tube: melt conditions, geometry, installation risks, sample qualification and RFQ details.
Read the guideSubstrate selection
AlN vs Si3N4 ceramic substrates: a purchasing guide for power electronics
Compare aluminum nitride and silicon nitride substrates by thermal path, fracture resistance, copper bonding route and reliability testing before requesting a quote.
Read the guideFAQ
Answers before you send an enquiry.
These answers support preliminary sourcing discussions. Final requirements should be confirmed against the actual application and component drawing.
Do I need a finished drawing to make an enquiry?
No. Start with the application, approximate dimensions and quantity. A controlled drawing is needed later to agree critical features and the purchase specification.
Is a bare ceramic substrate the same as DBC, AMB or DPC?
No. A bare substrate is the ceramic base. DBC, AMB and DPC describe different metallization routes. Specify the ceramic, metal layers, pattern, vias and finish separately.
Can a maximum-temperature value be used as a design limit?
Not by itself. Atmosphere, continuous or intermittent duty, load, heating rate and geometry affect suitability. Confirm the selected grade and installation conditions.
What should be agreed before ordering samples?
Confirm drawing revision, grade, quantity, critical dimensions, inspection plan and trial conditions. Define what a successful sample must demonstrate.
Who can I contact about a datasheet or custom part?
Contact Michael, Sales Manager, at admin@freewillmaterial.com or +86 151 9168 5659 by phone or WhatsApp. Include the material or part name and your application.
What information is useful for an initial material review?
Provide the application, current material, failure mode, operating temperature, medium, dimensions, tolerances and expected quantity.
Are website datasheet values final product specifications?
No. Published values are preliminary engineering references. Grade, manufacturing route, geometry and test method must be confirmed for the final requirement.
Can custom ceramic components be reviewed?
Custom requirements can be reviewed from dimensions, drawings or reference samples. Feasibility depends on material, geometry, tolerance, quantity and manufacturing requirements.
Need a custom material review?
Send your drawing or a short description to Michael. Email: admin@freewillmaterial.com · Phone / WhatsApp: +86 151 9168 5659.