Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED
Finish state · default condition
JIS C2141 A-96
Default choice for thick-film hybrid substrates, insulators, tubes and wear parts where Ra ≈ 0.4–0.8 µm as-fired surface is acceptable.
Values for the AS-FIRED condition
Other Al2O3-96% tempers and conditions
Al2O3-96% is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Al2O3-96%.
- BLACK-96
- AS-FIRED
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black 96% alumina | Use where optical opacity, low light reflection or laser-marking contrast is needed (sensor housings, optics mounts, semiconductor tooling). | — | 165 | 0 | 1,150 HV | 22 W/m·K |
AS-FIREDDefaultThis page standard pressed/sintered 96% alumina, as-fired surface | Default choice for thick-film hybrid substrates, insulators, tubes and wear parts where Ra ≈ 0.4–0.8 µm as-fired surface is acceptable. | — | 172 | — | 1,200 HV | 24 W/m·K |
What is Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED?
Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED is Al2O3-96% supplied in the AS-FIRED condition — default choice for thick-film hybrid substrates, insulators, tubes and wear parts where Ra ≈ 0.4–0.8 µm as-fired surface is acceptable. Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED has a tensile strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi), stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 300 GPa (43.5 Msi). Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED has a density of 3.72 g/cm³ (0.134 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,000°C (3,632 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 88% of ceramic grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.1 kg CO₂/kg, better than 86% of ceramic grades
- High service temperature — 1,500°C (2,732 °F), better than 80% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 79% of ceramic grades
Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED properties
Typical room-temperature values for Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED; 11 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% AS-FIRED has a density of 3.72 g/cm³ (0.134 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,000°C (3,632 °F).
Mechanical12
Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED has a tensile strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi), stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 300 GPa (43.5 Msi).
Thermal5
Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED 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% AS-FIRED is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm (406.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 88% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED takes about 51 MJ of energy and emits 3.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED'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% AS-FIRED
Is Al2O3-96% easy to machine?
Machine in the green/bisque state with carbide tooling (allow ~15–20% firing shrinkage); after sintering only diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser drilling/scribing are practical.
Can Al2O3-96% be welded?
Not weldable — join by Mo-Mn + Ni brazing, active-metal (Ti) brazing, glass frit sealing, DBC/DPC metallization or epoxy bonding.
Can Al2O3-96% be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion, tape casting or injection molding of spray-dried powder, then sintered at ~1500–1600 °C in air.
What surface finishes work on Al2O3-96%?
As-fired Ra ≈ 0.4–0.8 µm; lapping/polishing reaches Ra ≤ 0.1 µm for thin film; metallize with thick-film Ag/AgPd/Au pastes, Mo-Mn+Ni plating, or sputtered Ti/Cu for DPC.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al2O3main phase, alpha-alumina | 95 – 96.9 | 96 |
| SiO2glass-former of grain-boundary phase | 1.5 – 3 | 2.4 |
| CaOsintering aid | 0.2 – 1.2 | 0.7 |
| MgOgrain-growth inhibitor / sintering aid | 0.2 – 1.2 | 0.7 |
| Fe2O3 + Na2O + K2O + TiO2residual impurities | 0 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED — frequently asked
What is Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED used for?
Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED is typically used for hybrid IC substrates, thick-film circuits, power module insulators and chip resistor bodies. In short: standard hybrid circuit substrate; lower cost than 99.5 % alumina; thick-film metallization ready.
What is the tensile strength of Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED?
Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED has a typical tensile strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) — stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades). Machine in the green/bisque state with carbide tooling (allow ~15–20% firing shrinkage); after sintering only diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser drilling/scribing are practical.
Can Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED be welded?
Not weldable — join by Mo-Mn + Ni brazing, active-metal (Ti) brazing, glass frit sealing, DBC/DPC metallization or epoxy bonding.
What surface finishes work on Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED?
As-fired Ra ≈ 0.4–0.8 µm; lapping/polishing reaches Ra ≤ 0.1 µm for thin film; metallize with thick-film Ag/AgPd/Au pastes, Mo-Mn+Ni plating, or sputtered Ti/Cu for DPC.
Can Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion, tape casting or injection molding of spray-dried powder, then sintered at ~1500–1600 °C in air.
What is the maximum service temperature of Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED?
Al2O3-96% AS-FIRED 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
- JIS C 2141 — Testing methods of ceramic insulators for electrical and electronic applications — JSA (1992)
- ASTM F417 / ASTM C1161 — Flexural strength of ceramic substrates and advanced ceramics — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- 96% Alumina (AD-96 class) technical ceramic datasheet — CoorsTek (2023)
- Alumina ceramic substrate material properties (A-473 / A-476) — Kyocera (2022)
- Technical ceramics property tables (alumina 96%) — MatWeb / Granta-type dataset (2024)
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.