Alumina 96 · print state · default condition
Alumina 96 Sintered
Properties of the Sintered condition, compared with the other Alumina 96 tempers.
Standard dense 96% body with diamond-ground or lapped functional surfaces — pick for seal faces, plungers, bearings and dimensionally toleranced parts.
What is Alumina 96 Sintered?
Alumina 96 Sintered is Alumina 96 in the Sintered condition — standard dense 96% body with diamond-ground or lapped functional surfaces — pick for seal faces, plungers, bearings and dimensionally toleranced parts. Alumina 96 Sintered has a tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), stronger than 58% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 300 GPa (43.5 Msi). Alumina 96 Sintered has a density of 3.72 g/cm³ (0.134 lb/in³), lighter than 61% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,750°C (3,182 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 88% of ceramic grades
- 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 81% of ceramic grades
Alumina 96 Sintered properties
Typical room-temperature values for Alumina 96 Sintered — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Alumina 96 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the ceramic grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Alumina 96 Sintered has a density of 3.72 g/cm³ (0.134 lb/in³), lighter than 61% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,750°C (3,182 °F).
Mechanical13
Alumina 96 Sintered has a tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), stronger than 58% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 300 GPa (43.5 Msi).
Thermal5
Alumina 96 Sintered is rated for continuous service to 1,500°C (2,732 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 56% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 7 µm/m·K (3.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Alumina 96 Sintered 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 (92/100), better than 88% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Alumina 96 Sintered takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 80% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
Alumina 96 Sintered's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 58% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Alumina 96 tempers and conditions
Alumina 96 is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Alumina 96 overview.
- SinteredDefaultStandard dense 96% body with diamond-ground or lapped functional surfaces — pick for seal faces, plungers, bearings and dimensionally toleranced parts.190 MPa tensile
Working with Alumina 96 Sintered
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 Sintered — frequently asked
What is Alumina 96 Sintered used for?
Alumina 96 Sintered 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 Sintered?
Alumina 96 Sintered has a typical tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) — stronger than 58% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Alumina 96 Sintered easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 58% 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 Sintered 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 Sintered?
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 Sintered 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 Sintered?
Alumina 96 Sintered 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Alumina 96 Sintered?
Yes — Alumina 96 Sintered is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
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.