What is inert ceramics? Where are they used? And what role do they play?

Definition

Inert ceramics are usually made from main raw materials such as alumina and are fired at high temperatures. Common examples include inert ceramic balls, whose main chemical composition is Al₂O₃ and SiO₂, along with small amounts of alkali metal compounds, etc.

Classification of Inert Ceramics

Alumina ceramics: Mainly composed of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), and can be further classified according to the different contents of aluminum oxide. For example, 95% alumina ceramics, 99% alumina ceramics, etc. They have high strength, high hardness, good chemical stability and thermal stability, and are often used in chemical engineering, electronics, machinery and other fields as wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant components, as well as artificial joints and dental implants in the field of biomedicine.

Zirconia ceramics: Mainly composed of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), with three crystal forms: monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic. It has excellent mechanical properties, such as high fracture toughness and high hardness, and can be used in the field of biomedicine to make dental crowns, dental roots, etc., and in the industrial field as high-performance grinding media, ceramic cutting tools, etc.

Silicon carbide ceramics: Composed of silicon carbide (SiC), with three crystal forms: monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic. It has high hardness, good thermal conductivity, excellent wear resistance and chemical stability, as well as excellent high-temperature strength. It is often used in high-temperature, wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant environments, such as heat components in aerospace fields and wafer carriers in semiconductor manufacturing.

Boron nitride ceramics: Mainly composed of boron nitride (BN), with crystal forms such as cubic boron nitride (c - BN) and hexagonal boron nitride (h - BN). Cubic boron nitride has extremely high hardness, second only to diamond, and can be used to manufacture cutting tools, grinding tools, etc.; hexagonal boron nitride has good lubricity, high-temperature resistance and chemical stability, and can be used as high-temperature lubricants, insulating materials, etc.

Carbonaceous materials: Such as medical carbon materials, which have good biocompatibility, especially significant anticoagulant performance, low modulus, low friction coefficient, good toughness, and are therefore wear-resistant and fatigue-resistant. They are widely used in clinical cardiovascular surgery, such as heart valves, sutures, pacemaker electrodes, etc.

Application fields

Biological inert ceramics: such as alumina ceramics, zirconia ceramics, medical carbon materials, etc., are used in the field of biomedicine. After being implanted into the body, they do not react or have very little reactions, and have good biocompatibility and stable physical and chemical properties.

Industrial inert ceramics: including inert ceramics used in industrial fields such as petrochemicals, metallurgy, and electronics, such as inert alumina ceramic balls and silicon carbide ceramics. These ceramics are mainly used to play roles such as support, protection, filtration, and heat insulation in harsh industrial environments with high temperatures, high pressures, and strong corrosiveness.