Reitek offers ceramic consumables according to customer project needs. We have been specializing in Al2O3 ceramic consumables since 1993. We use very strong Al2O3 aluminum oxide as one of the most efficient and durable consumables available.
Ceramic over steel
Ceramic parts are resistant to mechanical (no shock), electrical, thermal and chemical stress. The ceramic parts may be used as part of the product or the ceramic part may be the product itself. Ceramic parts can replace conventional metal or plastic wear parts. Ceramic parts provide wear parts with significantly longer lifetimes than conventional materials. This increases the service interval and that reduces costs. In industry, for example, the number of maintenance outages can be reduced and the savings are significant.
Alumina, the chemical formula Al₂O₃, is a compound formed from aluminium and oxygen. It is also known as alumina and corundum, especially when it occurs naturally. Alumina is one of the most important and widely used ceramic materials. Below are some key facts about Al₂O₃:
Places of use
- Abrasives: Al₂O₃
Owing to its hardness, it is widely used as an abrasive in sandpapers, cutters and other machining tools. - Ceramic products: it is widely used in various ceramic components such as bearings, valves and electrical insulators due to its high temperature and wear resistance.
- Precious stones: in the corundum form, Al₂O₃ occurs naturally as gemstones such as rubies and sapphires.
- Al₂O₃ in natural rubies, such as rubies and rubies.
is used to make heat shields because it is very resistant to high temperatures and is a good thermal insulator. - Biomedical: Alumina is used in hip replacements and other biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and mechanical properties.
Properties
- Chemical composition: Al₂O₃ (two aluminium atoms and three oxygen atoms).
- Crystalline structure: often in a corundum crystalline form, hexagonal and very stable.
- Colour: Pure alumina is colourless or white. However, impurities can give it different colours, which is typical of gemstones such as rubies (red, containing chromium) and sapphires (blue, containing iron and titanium).
- Density: about 3,95-4,1 g/cm³.
Melting point: Very high, around 2072 °C. - Hardness: Very hard, about 9 on the Mohs scale, making it the second hardest material after diamond.
- Thermal conductivity: moderately high for a ceramic, about 30 W/mK.
- Electrical insulation: good insulator.
Manufacturing
Alumina is mainly produced by the Bayer process, in which the bauxite mineral is treated with sodium hydroxide to dissolve the aluminium into sodium aluminate. The aluminium is then precipitated as aluminium hydroxide, which is then converted into Al₂O₃
at high temperature.
Al₂O₃ is an important and versatile material with a wide range of applications in industry and technology.
Cost Saving opportunities in the long run
Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) can bring big savings compared to traditional materials in a number of ways, particularly due to its durability, temperature resistance and performance. Below are some key ways in which Al₂O₃ can be a cost-effective alternative:
1. Longer service life and reduced maintenance requirements:
Hardness and wear resistance: Al₂O₃ is a very hard and wear-resistant material, which makes it particularly suitable for applications where the material is subject to constant abrasion or wear. This reduces the need for repair and replacement of parts, resulting in significant savings in maintenance costs.
Corrosion resistance: unlike many metals, Al₂O₃ does not rust or corrode easily, which increases its service life even under difficult conditions and reduces maintenance costs.
2. Energy savings:
Thermal insulation: Al₂O₃
- Material has excellent thermal insulation properties, making it an ideal material for high-temperature glass applications such as furnaces, turbines and heat shields. Thanks to its good insulating properties, less energy is needed to control heat, leading to energy savings in the long term.
- Temperature resistance: Al₂O₃ can withstand very high temperatures without degradation, allowing its use in applications where traditional materials would not withstand or require continuous cooling or special treatment, thus increasing cost-effectiveness.
3. Improved performance and reduced processing costs:
- Excellent electrical insulating properties: as an electrical insulating material, Al₂O₃ is an excellent choice for electronics and electrical insulation, which can reduce the need for insulating materials and improve product reliability. This can lower rejection costs and reduce the cost of repairing failures.
- Chemical resistance: Al₂O₃ is highly resistant to chemicals, acids and alkalis, making it a cost-effective material in chemically aggressive environments. This reduces the need for expensive protective agents or coatings.
4. High availability and low raw material costs:
Availability of raw materials: aluminium is the third most common element in the world, making it a reasonably cheap raw material compared to many other industrial materials. This reduces the manufacturing costs of Al₂O₃.
5. Less environmental impact:
- Longer lifetime and reduced material consumption: longer lifetime and reduced maintenance requirements reduce resource consumption and waste generation. This can lead to lower waste charges and environmental damage, which can be economically viable.
These factors make Al₂O₃ a cost-effective alternative in the long term compared to traditional materials, even though its initial purchase price may be higher. However, the cost savings come from reduced maintenance, repair and energy bills and a longer service life.
Process
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Manufacturing
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Shipping
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References
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