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Al2O3-96% BLACK-96

Grade

JIS C2141 A-96

BLACK-96 = black 96% alumina

Use where optical opacity, low light reflection or laser-marking contrast is needed (sensor housings, optics mounts, semiconductor tooling).

High cost $$$$

Values for the BLACK-96 condition

Other Al2O3-96% tempers and conditions

Al2O3-96% is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Al2O3-96%.

Compare all 2 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
BLACK-96This page
Black 96% alumina
Use where optical opacity, low light reflection or laser-marking contrast is needed (sensor housings, optics mounts, semiconductor tooling).—16501,150 HV22 W/m·K
AS-FIREDDefault
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 HV24 W/m·K

What is Al2O3-96% BLACK-96?

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 is Al2O3-96% in the BLACK-96 grade — use where optical opacity, low light reflection or laser-marking contrast is needed (sensor housings, optics mounts, semiconductor tooling). Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 has a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi), stronger than 56% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 290 GPa (42.1 Msi). Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 has a density of 3.78 g/cm³ (0.137 lb/in³), lighter than 61% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,000°C (3,632 °F). AS-FIRED is the default condition FabDigit quotes; BLACK-96 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Low embodied carbon — 3.1 kg CO₂/kg, better than 86% of ceramic grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 81% of ceramic grades
  • High service temperature — 1,400°C (2,552 °F), better than 77% of ceramic grades

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Al2O3-96% BLACK-96; 16 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% BLACK-96 has a density of 3.78 g/cm³ (0.137 lb/in³), lighter than 61% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,000°C (3,632 °F).

Density3.78 g/cm³0.14 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)2,000°C3,632 °F
Porosity0.5%

Mechanical12

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 has a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi), stronger than 56% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 290 GPa (42.1 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus290 GPa42.1 Msi
Shear Modulus124 GPa18 Msi
Bulk Modulus172 GPa24.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.21
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)165 MPa23.9 ksi
Compressive Strength2,000 MPa290 ksi
Flexural Strength320 MPa46.4 ksi
Shear Strength155 MPa22.5 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)3.4 MPa·√m3.1 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers1,150 HV
Hardness, Knoop1,100 HK
Hardness, Mohs9

Thermal5

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 is rated for continuous service to 1,400°C (2,552 °F). It conducts heat at 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 6.5 µm/m·K (3.61 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)6.5 µm/m·K3.6 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)1,400°C2,552 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical5

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm (406.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength16 kV/mm406 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)9.5
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)3×10⁻⁴
Volume Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 81% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent90/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryInert to water, most acids, organic solvents and molten metals such as Al; the silicate glass phase is attacked by hot concentrated HF, phosphoric acid and strong alkalis/molten alkali salts, which limits 96% grades in aggressive wet-chemistry and some plasma-etch environments.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 takes about 51 MJ of energy and emits 3.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)51 MJ/kg21,926 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability3

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended5/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature1,550°C2,822 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Al2O3-96% BLACK-96

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Al2O3main phase, alpha-alumina95 – 96.996
SiO2glass-former of grain-boundary phase1.5 – 32.4
CaOsintering aid0.2 – 1.20.7
MgOgrain-growth inhibitor / sintering aid0.2 – 1.20.7
Fe2O3 + Na2O + K2O + TiO2residual impurities0 – 0.30.2

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 — frequently asked

What is Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 used for?

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 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% BLACK-96?

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 has a typical tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — stronger than 56% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.

Is Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 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% BLACK-96 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% BLACK-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.

Can Al2O3-96% BLACK-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 is the maximum service temperature of Al2O3-96% BLACK-96?

Al2O3-96% BLACK-96 is rated for continuous use to about 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. JIS C 2141 — Testing methods of ceramic insulators for electrical and electronic applications — JSA (1992)
  2. ASTM F417 / ASTM C1161 — Flexural strength of ceramic substrates and advanced ceramics — ASTM (2018)
  3. ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
  4. 96% Alumina (AD-96 class) technical ceramic datasheet — CoorsTek (2023)
  5. Alumina ceramic substrate material properties (A-473 / A-476) — Kyocera (2022)
  6. 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.