technical ceramic solutions

News

Category Archives: News

Mass Spectrometer Filament Assembly

We are pleased to introduce here our new product Filament Assembly supports, which is a drop-in replacement filament for ion trap mass spectrometers. Direct replacement for products offered by Thermo, Varian, Perkin-Elmer, Teledyne and Hitachi. Customers can choose from two-pin and four-pin options, tensioned and aligned to maximize mass spectrometer performance. These filament assembly are manufactured from our alumina ceramic, chosen for its good electrical insulation and high temperature stability.

Filament Assembly
Innovacera’s brazing process makes the filament more resistant to temperatures of around 700°C, compared to standard adhesives that typically can only withstand temperatures up to 350°C.

Filament Assembly supports
Welding method

  • Ceramic to Metal Brazing (or Soldering)
  • Glass to Metal Sealing

on Trap Device (ITD) Filament Assembly

If you are interested, please contact us. Our experienced team of engineers will select the appropriate brazing fixture, joint design and process for your application.


Pyrolytic Graphite Coated PBN Crucible for Electron Beam Evaporation

Pyrolytic graphite coated PBN (pyrolytic boron nitride) crucible refers to a crucible made of PBN material with a coating of pyrolytic graphite on its surface. The purity of Pyrolytic Graphite Coated Crucible is over 99.99% and the air tightness is good, which has high-temperature resistance, chemical stability, good thermal shock resistance, good thermal conductivity, low coefficient of thermal expansion, resistance to acid, alkali, salt, and organic reagent corrosion. In addition, it has a long service life.

Pyrolytic Graphite Coated PBN Crucible
By coating a PBN crucible with a layer of pyrolytic graphite, several advantages can be achieved:
1.Enhanced thermal conductivity: The pyrolytic graphite coating improves the thermal conductivity of the PBN crucible, allowing for efficient heat transfer during high-temperature processes.
2.Chemical resistance: The PBN material already exhibits exceptional chemical inertness, and the additional pyrolytic graphite coating further enhances its resistance to corrosive substances, ensuring greater durability and lifespan of the crucible.
3.Non-wetting properties: Pyrolytic graphite has a non-wetting surface, meaning it repels and does not absorb liquids. This property prevents molten materials from sticking to the crucible, facilitating easy removal and preventing contamination.
4.Electrically insulating: PBN itself is an excellent electrical insulator, and the pyrolytic graphite coating maintains the insulating properties of the crucible. This trait is valuable in electrical and electronic applications, where electrical isolation is necessary.
5.Reduced thermal stress: The combination of PBN and pyrolytic graphite helps reduce thermal stress caused by temperature variations, extending the crucible’s lifespan.
Pyrolytic graphite coated PBN crucibles are commonly used in high-temperature applications, such as semiconductor manufacturing, crystal growth, metallurgical processes, and materials research, where both high thermal stability and chemical resistance are critical.


What’s The Differences Between Alumina Ceramic And Zirconia Ceramic

Alumina is a very common technical ceramic material. Zirconia is also widely used in machinery industries. As an advanced ceramics manufacturer, we’d like to introduce the differences between alumina ceramic and zirconia ceramic.

Industrial Ceramics

In terms of performance:
1.The density of zirconia ceramics is twice that of alumina ceramics, the bulk density of zirconia is 6.05g/cm3, while that of alumina is only 3.7g/cm3. So zirconia has better compressive properties in comparison.
2.The toughness of zirconia ceramics is 4 times that of alumina ceramics. The toughness of the zirconia ceramic is excellent, which overcomes the inherent brittleness of the ceramic itself, has higher wear resistance, and greatly extends the service life of the product.
3.Zirconia parts with higher surface finish. After grinding and processing of two materials, zirconia has a higher surface finish, and the roughness can reach about Ra0.02. The surface is mirror-like, very smooth, and has a smaller coefficient of friction. But alumina roughness is about Ra0.2~Ra0.4.
4.Zirconia ceramics have excellent thermal insulation, and its thermal conductivity is less than one-tenth of the thermal conductivity of other ceramics.

In terms of price:
The price of alumina is lower than that of zirconia. One of the reasons is the cost of the raw material, another reason is the high processing cost of zirconia ceramics.

In terms of applications:

1.Alumina ceramic could withstand higher temperature, application in industry furnace.
2.As the wear resistance for zirconia is much better, it is frequently used as mortar and pestles, grinding jars and grinding media, bearing balls and ceramic parts in valves and pumps.
3.Zirconia has better corrosion resistance. Zirconia could survive longer in highly corrosive environment and is considered better material in chemistry laboratories.
So Zirconia ceramics are suitable for applications in high-load, high-strength, and chemically corrosive environments, while alumina ceramics are suitable for applications with low loads, high temperatures, and heat dissipation.


Four Main Applications Of Silicon Nitride Ceramics

1. Application of silicon nitride ceramics in the mechanical field
Silicon nitride ceramics are used in the machinery industry as valves, pipes, classifying wheels, and ceramic cutting tools. The most common use is silicon nitride ceramic bearing balls.

High Grade Silicon Nitride Ceramic Ball Bead for Bearing
Compared with steel balls, silicon nitride ceramic bearing balls have outstanding advantages: low density, high temperature resistance, self-lubricating, and corrosion resistance. They are used in high-speed machine tool electric spindle high-speed bearings, aerospace engines, wind turbine bearings, and automobile engine bearings. Bearings for equipment such as
As a high-speed rotating body, the ceramic ball generates centrifugal stress, and the low density of silicon nitride reduces the centrifugal stress on the outer ring of the high-speed rotating body.
2. Application of silicon nitride ceramics in the semiconductor field
In addition to superior mechanical properties, silicon nitride ceramics also exhibit a range of excellent thermal conductivity properties, making them suitable for use in the demanding semiconductor field. In the field of integrated circuits, the degree of integration and power are increasing, which places higher requirements on the bending strength, stability, and heat dissipation capabilities of the substrates of packaged chips.

Silicon Nitride Substrate
Silicon nitride ceramic substrates have higher thermal conductivity (typical values for commercial products are 80 to 90 W/mK). Compared with alumina substrates or ZTA substrates, they have more than three times the thermal conductivity and a thermal expansion coefficient (2.4 ppm/K) is small, close to semiconductor chips (Si, SiC), and has good thermal matching.
In addition, silicon nitride ceramic substrates have excellent mechanical properties, taking into account high bending strength and high fracture toughness. Compared with alumina substrates or aluminum nitride substrates, they have more than twice the bending strength, with a bending strength of 600 ~850MPa, fracture toughness is 5~7MPa·m½, so it has extremely high resistance to cold and thermal shock (extremely high reliability), and can weld very thick copper metal (thickness up to 800μm) to relatively thin nitride On silicon ceramics. Therefore, the current carrying capacity is high and the heat transfer is very good. Due to the excellent performance of silicon nitride substrates, it has good application prospects in power modules (IGBT/SiC power modules) for rail transit, wind power, photovoltaics, new energy vehicles, etc.
3. Application of silicon nitride ceramics in the field of bioceramics
As a new generation of bioceramic materials, silicon nitride ceramics not only have the excellent qualities that ceramic materials should have, but also have good radiographic properties, anti-infection properties, biocompatibility properties and osseointegration properties. They are widely used in biosensors, spine, and orthopedics. , dental and other implants are widely used.
4. Application of silicon nitride ceramics in the field of wave-transmitting materials
Silicon nitride ceramics and their composite materials have excellent properties such as heat resistance, wave transmission, and load-bearing, making them one of the new generation of high-performance wave-transparent materials studied. Due to the introduction of pores, porous silicon nitride ceramics have low density, low thermal conductivity, excellent pervaporation performance, and good transmittance of electromagnetic waves. In addition, they also have high specific strength, high specific modulus, high temperature resistance, oxidation resistance, and resistance to electromagnetic waves. Wear and other characteristics, it can be used as a ceramic-based wave-transmitting material to make radomes and antenna windows.


Ceramic metallized insulators for RF Package

In a development that could have a significant impact on the electronics industry, the latest ceramic metallized insulators are making strides in enhancing semiconductor packaging and related applications. These insulators offer a range of practical benefits that can improve the performance and durability of electronic components. Let’s take a closer look at what sets them apart:

Ceramic Insulator For Semiconductor Packaging
Key Features of Ceramic Metallized Insulators:
1. Stability and Strength: The ceramic material employed in these insulators boasts an even texture, ensuring every batch maintains stable quality and flexural strength. This consistency in material quality is pivotal for the reliability of electronic components.
2.Dense and Weldable Metal Layer: The metal layers in these insulators are densely applied, providing a smooth and even surface. This not only enhances their appearance but also makes them easy to work with, particularly in manufacturing processes.
3. Exceptional Electrical Insulation: These insulators offer outstanding electrical insulation properties, characterized by a low dielectric constant. Additionally, they exhibit excellent resistance to abrasion and corrosion, guaranteeing long-lasting durability.
3.High Tensile Strength and Airtightness: With high tensile strength and airtight qualities, these insulators are well-suited for various applications, particularly those demanding high-frequency and high-power capabilities. Their durability and reliability make them a valuable choice for critical electrical components.

Metallized Ceramic For LED
Applications:
The versatility of these advanced ceramic metallized insulators opens up a multitude of applications:
1. RF Packaging: These insulators are ideal for RF packaging, where small cavity sizes and reliable plating are essential. Their exceptional electrical properties and robust construction make them a practical choice for RF components.
2.Vacuum Electronic Devices: Their exceptional insulation and durability make these insulators a perfect fit for vacuum electronic devices, where maintaining a vacuum environment is essential.
3.LED Accessories: The insulators’ ability to withstand environmental factors and provide excellent electrical insulation positions them as valuable components in the LED accessory market, contributing to the longevity and efficiency of LED products.

Metallized Insulators For Vacuum Electronic Devices
While not groundbreaking innovation, these ceramic metallized insulators represent a step forward in enhancing the reliability and performance of electronic components across various sectors. As the demand for dependable electrical components continues to grow, these insulators are expected to play a pivotal role in various industries, offering practical solutions to everyday challenges.
Manufacturers and industry experts are keeping a close eye on the adoption of these insulators, which have the potential to raise the standards for semiconductor packaging and related applications. As technology evolves, these insulators are likely to become essential components in various electronic products, benefiting both manufacturers and consumers.


Applications for Metallized Ceramic Substrates

In a world where technological advancement knows no bounds, metallized ceramic substrates have emerged as a key player, enabling innovations in various industries. These versatile materials are gaining prominence in applications ranging from electronics to aerospace, thanks to their unique combination of electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Let’s explore the burgeoning landscape of metallized ceramic substrates and their ever-expanding applications.

Applications for Metallized Ceramic Substrates DBC AMB DPC
Electronics Industry:
Metallized ceramic substrates have become indispensable in the electronics industry. These substrates provide a reliable foundation for the assembly of electronic components such as microchips and sensors. Their excellent electrical conductivity, thermal resistance, and ability to dissipate heat make them ideal for high-performance electronic devices.
One notable application is in power electronics, where metallized ceramic substrates are used in the manufacturing of power modules, inverters, and converters. These components play a crucial role in renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and industrial machinery, contributing to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Aerospace and Defense:
The aerospace and defense sectors are also tapping into the potential of metallized ceramic substrates. These substrates are essential in the development of radar systems, communication equipment, and missile guidance systems. Their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh environments ensures the reliability of critical components in aerospace and defense applications.
Metallized ceramic substrates have found their way into satellite technology, enabling the miniaturization of components while maintaining exceptional performance. This has led to more cost-effective and efficient satellite systems, facilitating advancements in global communication and Earth observation.
Medical Devices:
Metallized ceramic substrates are making waves in the medical device industry. They are used in the production of high-frequency surgical equipment, medical imaging devices, and implantable devices. The biocompatibility and stability of these substrates are paramount in medical applications, ensuring patient safety and device longevity.
In the field of diagnostic equipment, metallized ceramic substrates play a pivotal role in the development of accurate and reliable diagnostic tools, such as X-ray machines and ultrasound transducers. These substrates enable precise signal transmission and reception, leading to improved healthcare outcomes.
Renewable Energy:
The transition to renewable energy sources relies heavily on metallized ceramic substrates. They are crucial in the manufacturing of photovoltaic cells and wind turbine components. The ability to efficiently dissipate heat ensures the longevity of renewable energy systems, reducing maintenance costs and increasing energy production.
Metallized ceramic substrates are also used in fuel cell technology, contributing to the development of clean and efficient energy solutions. Their corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity are key factors in enhancing the performance of fuel cells, making them a sustainable choice for power generation.
In conclusion, metallized ceramic substrates are becoming increasingly pivotal across a wide spectrum of industries, driving innovation and improving the efficiency and reliability of various technologies. As research and development efforts continue to expand the boundaries of what is possible, we can expect to see even more groundbreaking applications emerge, further cementing the role of metallized ceramic substrates in shaping our technological future.


Zirconia ceramics combination stainless steel parts

Zirconia ceramics is a very strong advanced ceramic with excellent properties in fracture toughness, hardness, high wear resistance, and corrosion resistance is the best flexibility compared with other ceramic materials. The unique properties of resistance to crack propagation and high thermal expansion make it an excellent material for combination with metals like stainless steel.

Zirconia ceramics

Zirconia ceramics themselves have very excellent performance, if it is combined with high-quality stainless steel materials, the advantages of this composite are not more obvious.

The advantages of the zirconia Ceramic to metal assemblies :

1. Long service life
2. Superior Mechanical Strength
3. High Polished Surface
4. Anti-high Corrosion and Wear Resistance
5. High Temperature and Pressure Resistance
6. Good Insulation Performance
7. High hardness, long service life, not easy to break, and wear resistance
8. Non-conductive, anti-static, ceramic material itself with the insulation of electricity and magnetism properties
9. Corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, can be applied to a specific environment, such as acid-alkali resistance


Semiconductor Wafer Carrier Alumina Disk and Ceramic Edge Ring

High precision ceramic components improve yield management for semiconductor wafer processing. Innovacera ceramic components provide precise dimensional stability, ultra-flatness and smoothness, and vacuum holding of wafers during inspection and processing. Low-surface-contact configurations minimize risk of back-side particles negatively affecting wafer geometry for precision applications.

Semiconductor Wafer Carrier Disk
The main features of high precision ceramic parts:

Alumina Wafer Carrier
1. Wear and abrasion resistance: Alumina is a tough technical ceramic with very good wear resistance.
2. High precision dimensions with tightening tolerance, it easier to get a perfect fitting relationship.
3. Chemical inertness, resistant to most of the strong acids and alkalis.
4. High-temperature ability: withstand up to 1600°C in oxidizing and reducing atmospheres.
5. Great mechanical properties, hardness, compressive, and flexural strength are much higher in stainless steel.
6. Electrical insulation: The insulation breakdown is 20KV at least.
7. Protective atmospheres or high vacuum at high temperatures to eliminate contamination or impurity.
8. Chemical corrosion resistance under high temperatures, even with strong acid or alkali.
9. Low material cost in high-level applications than other technical ceramics.


Boron Nitride Nozzles for Molten Metal Atomizing

Boron Nitride nozzles are widely used in the processing of metal powder. Molten metal atomization is a process used to fabricate metal powder from a melt. In a typical atomizer, liquid metal is poured from a nozzle into a large chamber while being sprayed with high-pressure water, oil or gas. This causes the metal droplets to separate and condense into a powder that collects at the bottom. Atomization has become one of the most popular methods of powdering metals.

Boron Nitride Nozzles
Atomization begins in a furnace where the metal is kept liquefied by electric heating elements. The metal falls into the spray chamber through a “nozzle” – this nozzle is designed to a high degree of perfection and specification. The nozzle is one of the most important parts of the atomization process – a damaged or clogged nozzle can cause the metal flow to stop or the flow to increase dramatically – both of which can disrupt the powdering process.

A molten metal atomizer chamber
To prevent this from happening, the nozzle must be mechanically robust and offer no resistance to the flow of liquid metal. At the same time, the nozzle acts as an interface between the hot furnace at the top and the much cooler spray chamber below. Therefore, it needs to be made of a strong refractory material while also being resistant to high-temperature shocks.
Boron nitride has very low thermal expansion. Together with high thermal conductivity, this ensures that the material is very shock-resistant. It can easily withstand rapid changes in the temperature inside the atomizer. It will not crack or crack under thermal stress.
Under high vacuum, boron nitride can withstand high temperatures up to 1800 °C. A gas atmosphere can push the temperature further up to 2100 °C. This means boron nitride will remain solid during the melting of most metals.
It is also easily machinable, allowing us to machine small threads, holes and other finer details with high precision and tolerances. Nozzles made of boron nitride can be easily customized, allowing both constrained and free geometries.


What are the advantages of advanced ceramics produced by cold isostatic pressing

The most commonly used forming processes in the advanced ceramics industry are cold isostatic pressing, injection molding, hot isostatic pressing and dry pressing. As an advanced ceramics manufacturer, we’d like to introduce the cold isostatic pressing process.

Alumina Parts

CIP is a method of compacting powdered materials into a solid homogeneous mass before machining or sintering. It can produce high-integrity billets or preforms that exhibit little distortion or cracking when fired. Its advantages and features include:

Improve production efficiency: CIP is easy to operate, the process is stable and can be mass-produced, so the production efficiency is high.

Optimizing material properties: CIP can make the powder material form a dense green body under high pressure, which has a high density, usually reaching more than 95% of the theoretical density. This makes the ceramic material produced by cold isostatic pressing have higher strength, hardness and wear resistance.

Fine grains: In the process of CIP, due to plastic deformation and recrystallization under high pressure, a body with fine grains can be obtained, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the material.

Manufacture of complex shaped parts: cold isostatic pressing technology has good adaptability to the manufacture of complex shaped ceramic parts. It can achieve one-time molding of complex shapes through appropriate mold design and pressure control, reducing the complexity and cost of subsequent processing.

Complex shapes: By adopting different mold structures and process parameters, cold isostatic pressing can produce blanks of various complex shapes to meet the needs of different application fields.

Strong controllability: The process parameters of CIP can be precisely controlled, such as pressure, temperature, holding time, etc., so that a green body with specific properties and microstructure can be obtained.

Low material loss: There is no melting during CIP, so there is no chemical reaction and gas phase consumption, and there is almost no material loss.

Energy saving and environmental protection: Since the cold isostatic pressing process does not require high-temperature sintering, it can reduce energy consumption and the amount of waste gas and wastewater discharged.

In summary, this makes the cold isostatic pressing technology has a broad application prospect in the field of ceramic manufacturing.


Enquiry