Al2O3-96 TC-AF
Grade · default condition
ASTM C799
TC-AF = tape-cast, as-fired substrate
Default choice for thick-film hybrid circuits, LED and power-module substrates; as-fired surface Ra ≈ 0.4–0.6 µm suits screen printing.
Values for the TC-AF condition
Other Al2O3-96 tempers and conditions
Al2O3-96 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at Al2O3-96.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dry-pressed and sintered structural/insulator parts | Pick for bushings, seal rings, feedthroughs and wear parts where net-shape pressing beats tape casting. | — | 160 | 0 | 1,150 HV | 23 W/m·K |
Black 96% alumina | Choose for optoelectronic and laser packages needing light absorption / low reflectivity while keeping 96-alumina metallization compatibility. | — | 165 | 0 | 1,120 HV | 20 W/m·K |
TC-AFDefaultThis page Tape-cast, as-fired substrate | Default choice for thick-film hybrid circuits, LED and power-module substrates; as-fired surface Ra ≈ 0.4–0.6 µm suits screen printing. | — | 170 | 0 | 1,150 HV | 24 W/m·K |
What is Al2O3-96 TC-AF?
Al2O3-96 TC-AF is Al2O3-96 in the TC-AF grade — default choice for thick-film hybrid circuits, LED and power-module substrates; as-fired surface Ra ≈ 0.4–0.6 µm suits screen printing. Al2O3-96 TC-AF has a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi), stronger than 56% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 300 GPa (43.5 Msi). Al2O3-96 TC-AF has a density of 3.72 g/cm³ (0.134 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,750°C (3,182 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 84% of ceramic grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 81% of ceramic grades
- High service temperature — 1,500°C (2,732 °F), better than 80% of ceramic grades
Al2O3-96 TC-AF properties
Typical room-temperature values for Al2O3-96 TC-AF; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Al2O3-96 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
Al2O3-96 TC-AF has a density of 3.72 g/cm³ (0.134 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,750°C (3,182 °F).
Mechanical13
Al2O3-96 TC-AF has a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi), stronger than 56% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 300 GPa (43.5 Msi).
Thermal5
Al2O3-96 TC-AF is rated for continuous service to 1,500°C (2,732 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 6.5 µm/m·K (3.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Al2O3-96 TC-AF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 15 kV/mm (381 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 81% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Al2O3-96 TC-AF takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability3
Al2O3-96 TC-AF's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Al2O3-96 TC-AF
Is Al2O3-96 easy to machine?
Green machining or laser scribing before firing; after sintering only diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser drilling.
Can Al2O3-96 be welded?
Not weldable — join by Mo-Mn metallization plus Ni plating and active/brazed Ag-Cu-Ti joints, or by glass frit and ceramic adhesives.
Can Al2O3-96 be formed, bent or molded?
Tape casting for substrates, dry/isostatic pressing, extrusion or injection moulding for shapes; allow ~15–20 % firing shrinkage.
What surface finishes work on Al2O3-96?
Thick-film Ag/AgPd/Au printing, DBC/AMB copper bonding, laser trimming; lapping to Ra ≤ 0.1 µm where thin-film metallization is required.
Al2O3-96 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Al2O3primary phase, corundum | 95 – 96.5 | 96 |
| SiO2glassy grain-boundary former | 2 – 3.2 | 2.6 |
| CaOsintering aid | 0.3 – 1.2 | 0.7 |
| MgOgrain-growth inhibitor / sintering aid | 0.3 – 1 | 0.6 |
| other oxides (Na2O, Fe2O3, K2O)impurities | 0 – 0.3 | 0.1 |
Al2O3-96 TC-AF — frequently asked
What is Al2O3-96 TC-AF used for?
Al2O3-96 TC-AF is typically used for thick-film circuit substrates, electronic packages, insulating washers, spark plug insulators and wear pads. In short: industry-standard substrate alumina; best cost/performance alumina; takes thick-film metallization.
What is the tensile strength of Al2O3-96 TC-AF?
Al2O3-96 TC-AF has a typical tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — stronger than 56% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Al2O3-96 TC-AF easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades). Green machining or laser scribing before firing; after sintering only diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser drilling.
Can Al2O3-96 TC-AF be welded?
Not weldable — join by Mo-Mn metallization plus Ni plating and active/brazed Ag-Cu-Ti joints, or by glass frit and ceramic adhesives.
What surface finishes work on Al2O3-96 TC-AF?
Thick-film Ag/AgPd/Au printing, DBC/AMB copper bonding, laser trimming; lapping to Ra ≤ 0.1 µm where thin-film metallization is required.
Can Al2O3-96 TC-AF be formed, bent or molded?
Tape casting for substrates, dry/isostatic pressing, extrusion or injection moulding for shapes; allow ~15–20 % firing shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of Al2O3-96 TC-AF?
Al2O3-96 TC-AF is rated for continuous use to about 1,500°C (2,732 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ADS-96R 96% Alumina technical data — CoorsTek (2023)
- Fine Ceramics — Alumina A-473 (96%) properties — Kyocera (2022)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- ASTM F417 — Flexural Strength of Electronic-Grade Ceramics — ASTM (2013)
- GB/T 5593 / C799 material class — SAC (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.