Alumina 96 As Fired
Print state
also 96% Alumina Substrate
Cheapest route for insulators, liners and tubes where ±1 % dimensional tolerance and Ra 0.6–1.5 µm surface are acceptable; surface flaws lower bend strength ~10 %.
Values for the As Fired condition
Other Alumina 96 tempers and conditions
Alumina 96 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Alumina 96.
- As Fired
- Sintered
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As FiredThis page unground kiln surface, net-shape tolerances | Cheapest route for insulators, liners and tubes where ±1 % dimensional tolerance and Ra 0.6–1.5 µm surface are acceptable; surface flaws lower bend strength ~10 %. | — | 170 | 0 | 1,150 HV | 24 W/m·K |
SinteredDefault pressed and sintered, ground/lapped surfaces | Standard dense 96% body with diamond-ground or lapped functional surfaces — pick for seal faces, plungers, bearings and dimensionally toleranced parts. | — | 190 | 0 | 1,150 HV | 25 W/m·K |
What is Alumina 96 As Fired?
Alumina 96 As Fired is Alumina 96 in the As Fired condition — cheapest route for insulators, liners and tubes where ±1 % dimensional tolerance and Ra 0.6–1.5 µm surface are acceptable; surface flaws lower bend strength ~10 %. Alumina 96 As Fired 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 290 GPa (42.1 Msi). Alumina 96 As Fired 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). Sintered is the default condition FabDigit quotes; As Fired is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 84% of ceramic grades
- High service temperature — 1,500°C (2,732 °F), better than 80% of ceramic grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 88/100, better than 77% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 89% of ceramic grades
Alumina 96 As Fired properties
Typical room-temperature values for Alumina 96 As Fired; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Alumina 96 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
Alumina 96 As Fired 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
Alumina 96 As Fired 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 290 GPa (42.1 Msi).
Thermal5
Alumina 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 7 µm/m·K (3.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Alumina 96 As Fired 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 (88/100), better than 77% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Alumina 96 As Fired takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
Alumina 96 As Fired's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Alumina 96 As Fired
Is Alumina 96 easy to machine?
Green or bisque machine wherever possible; after firing only diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser drilling — allow ~15–20 % firing shrinkage on all dimensions.
Can Alumina 96 be welded?
Not weldable; join by Mo-Mn metallizing + Ni plating and brazing, active-metal (Ti) brazing, glass sealing or structural adhesive.
Can Alumina 96 be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped by dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion, slip casting, injection moulding or tape casting, then sintered at 1500–1650 °C in air.
What surface finishes work on Alumina 96?
Lapping/polishing to Ra <0.1 µm for seal faces; thick-film metallization, laser scribing and thin Ni/Au plating over metallized pads are standard for electronics.
Alumina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al2O3alpha-alumina main phase | 95 – 97 | 96 |
| SiO2glass former | 1.5 – 3 | 2.4 |
| MgOgrain-growth inhibitor / sintering aid | 0.3 – 1.2 | 0.8 |
| CaOliquid-phase sintering aid | 0.2 – 1 | 0.6 |
| Na2O + Fe2O3 + otherresidual impurities | ≥ 0 (balance) | — |
Alumina 96 As Fired — frequently asked
What is Alumina 96 As Fired used for?
Alumina 96 As Fired is typically used for thick-film circuit substrates, spark plug insulators, electrical bushings, high-voltage and vacuum feedthroughs, insulating washers and standoffs and wear-resistant liners and guides. In short: workhorse technical alumina.
What is the tensile strength of Alumina 96 As Fired?
Alumina 96 As Fired has a typical tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — stronger than 56% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Alumina 96 As Fired easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades). Green or bisque machine wherever possible; after firing only diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser drilling — allow ~15–20 % firing shrinkage on all dimensions.
Can Alumina 96 As Fired be welded?
Not weldable; join by Mo-Mn metallizing + Ni plating and brazing, active-metal (Ti) brazing, glass sealing or structural adhesive.
What surface finishes work on Alumina 96 As Fired?
Lapping/polishing to Ra <0.1 µm for seal faces; thick-film metallization, laser scribing and thin Ni/Au plating over metallized pads are standard for electronics.
Can Alumina 96 As Fired be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped by dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion, slip casting, injection moulding or tape casting, then sintered at 1500–1650 °C in air.
What is the maximum service temperature of Alumina 96 As Fired?
Alumina 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
- AD-96 Alumina material properties — CoorsTek (2023)
- Fine Ceramics — Alumina A-473/96% characteristics — Kyocera (2022)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- ASTM C1161 / C773 — flexural and compressive strength of advanced ceramics — ASTM (2018)
- CES/Granta EduPack — technical alumina eco-properties — Ansys Granta (2023)
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.