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Al2O3-99.5% A-95

Grade

A-95 = 93–95 % Al2O3

Workhorse mid-purity alumina for pump seals, valve plates, thread guides and general electrical insulation at moderate cost.

High cost $$$$

Values for the A-95 condition

Other Al2O3-99.5% tempers and conditions

Al2O3-99.5% is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Al2O3-99.5%.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
82–86 % Al2O3, high glass-phase debased alumina
Cheapest alumina body for bulk insulators, bushings and low-stress wear liners where dielectric loss and thermal conductivity are not critical.—130—1,000 HV15 W/m·K
A-95This page
93–95 % Al2O3
Workhorse mid-purity alumina for pump seals, valve plates, thread guides and general electrical insulation at moderate cost.—175—1,200 HV20 W/m·K
96–99 % Al2O3 substrate/technical grade
Standard thick-film/hybrid substrate and vacuum-braze alumina: good metallization compatibility and as-fired surface at lower cost than 99.5 %.—200—1,350 HV25 W/m·K
A-995Default
99.5 % Al2O3 high-purity sintered
Default high-purity grade: pick for RF/microwave and thin-film substrates, vacuum feedthroughs, laser tubes and severe wear/corrosion service.—260—1,550 HV32 W/m·K
Zirconia-toughened alumina
Use when alumina's strength and toughness are marginal — impact-loaded wear parts, mill liners, cutting/forming tools and load-bearing bio/industrial components.—350—1,500 HV22 W/m·K
Static-dissipative alumina
Choose where charge build-up must be bled off — wafer-handling end effectors, test-socket and precision-electronics tooling — accepting reduced dielectric use.———1,400 HV22 W/m·K

What is Al2O3-99.5% A-95?

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 is Al2O3-99.5% in the A-95 grade — workhorse mid-purity alumina for pump seals, valve plates, thread guides and general electrical insulation at moderate cost. Al2O3-99.5% A-95 has a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi), stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 300 GPa (43.5 Msi). Al2O3-99.5% A-95 has a density of 3.65 g/cm³ (0.132 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,050°C (3,722 °F). A-995 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A-95 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Low embodied carbon — 4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 79% of ceramic grades
  • High service temperature — 1,400°C (2,552 °F), better than 77% of ceramic grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 88/100, better than 77% of ceramic grades

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Al2O3-99.5% A-95; 30 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Al2O3-99.5% reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.

Physical4

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 has a density of 3.65 g/cm³ (0.132 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,050°C (3,722 °F).

Density3.65 g/cm³0.13 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)2,050°C3,722 °F
Refractive Index1.76
Porosity0.3%

Mechanical12

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 has a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi), stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 300 GPa (43.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus300 GPa43.5 Msi
Shear Modulus122 GPa17.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus180 GPa26.1 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.22
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)175 MPa25.4 ksi
Compressive Strength2,100 MPa305 ksi
Flexural Strength330 MPa47.9 ksi
Shear Strength330 MPa47.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers1,200 HV
Hardness, Knoop1,150 HK
Hardness, Mohs9

Thermal5

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 is rated for continuous service to 1,400°C (2,552 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 55% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 7.2 µm/m·K (4 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity20 W/m·K11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)7.2 µm/m·K4 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)1,400°C2,552 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical5

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm (406.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength16 kV/mm406 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)9.2
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)6×10⁻⁴
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 77% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent88/100
Chemical Resistance Summary0

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Al2O3-99.5% A-95 takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)52 MJ/kg22,356 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water150 L/kg18 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability3

Al2O3-99.5% A-95's machinability is not recommended (7/100, better than 63% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended7/100
PolishabilityVery good78/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature1,580°C2,876 °F

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

Working with Al2O3-99.5% A-95

Is Al2O3-99.5% easy to machine?

Machine green or bisque bodies with carbide tooling allowing ~15–20 % firing shrinkage; fired 99.5 % alumina requires diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser machining.

Can Al2O3-99.5% be welded?

Not weldable — join by active-metal (Ti/Ag-Cu) brazing, Mo-Mn metallization plus Ni plating and brazing, glass frit sealing or ceramic adhesives.

Can Al2O3-99.5% be formed, bent or molded?

Formed by dry/isostatic pressing, extrusion, slip or injection casting and tape casting for substrates, then pressureless sintering at 1550–1750 °C (HIP for maximum density).

What surface finishes work on Al2O3-99.5%?

As-fired Ra ≈ 0.3–0.6 µm; lapping/polishing reaches Ra <0.05 µm for thin-film use; laser scribing, thick-film metallization, Ni/Au plating and glazing are standard.

Al2O3-99.5% 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
SiO2residual sintering aid / glassy phase0 – 0.20.1
MgOgrain-growth inhibitor0 – 0.150.07
CaO0 – 0.10.03
Na2Okept low for dielectric loss and HV insulation0 – 0.10.05
Fe2O30 – 0.050.02
Al2O3sintered polycrystalline corundum, per IEC 60672-3 C-799 / ASTM D2442 Type IV≥ 99.5 (balance)—

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 — frequently asked

What is Al2O3-99.5% A-95 used for?

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 is typically used for RF/microwave substrates, laser diode submounts and precision hybrid circuits. In short: higher purity than 96 % alumina; 32 W/(m.K) thermal conductivity; thin-film surface finish.

What is the tensile strength of Al2O3-99.5% A-95?

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 has a typical tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is Al2O3-99.5% A-95 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (7/100, better than 63% of ceramic grades). Machine green or bisque bodies with carbide tooling allowing ~15–20 % firing shrinkage; fired 99.5 % alumina requires diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser machining.

Can Al2O3-99.5% A-95 be welded?

Not weldable — join by active-metal (Ti/Ag-Cu) brazing, Mo-Mn metallization plus Ni plating and brazing, glass frit sealing or ceramic adhesives.

What surface finishes work on Al2O3-99.5% A-95?

As-fired Ra ≈ 0.3–0.6 µm; lapping/polishing reaches Ra <0.05 µm for thin-film use; laser scribing, thick-film metallization, Ni/Au plating and glazing are standard.

Can Al2O3-99.5% A-95 be formed, bent or molded?

Formed by dry/isostatic pressing, extrusion, slip or injection casting and tape casting for substrates, then pressureless sintering at 1550–1750 °C (HIP for maximum density).

What is the maximum service temperature of Al2O3-99.5% A-95?

Al2O3-99.5% A-95 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. IEC 60672-3 Ceramic and glass insulating materials — Part 3: Specifications for individual materials (C-780/C-786/C-795/C-799) — IEC (1997)
  2. ASTM D2442 Standard Specification for Alumina Ceramics for Electrical and Electronic Applications — ASTM (2018)
  3. GB/T 3927 Test method for volume density and apparent porosity of fine ceramics / — SAC (China) (2018)
  4. ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
  5. AD-96 / AD-995 alumina material properties — CoorsTek (2023)
  6. Fine Ceramics technical data — alumina A-473/A-479/A995, ZTA — Kyocera (2023)
  7. Technical alumina and ZTA property records — MatWeb / CES EduPack material data (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.