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Alumina 96 Sintered

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also 96% Alumina Substrate

Standard dense 96% body with diamond-ground or lapped functional surfaces — pick for seal faces, plungers, bearings and dimensionally toleranced parts.

High cost $$$$

Values for the Sintered condition

Other Alumina 96 tempers and conditions

Alumina 96 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Alumina 96.

Compare all 2 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
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 %.17001,150 HV24 W/m·K
SinteredDefaultThis page
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.19001,150 HV25 W/m·K

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 57% 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 62% 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 80% of ceramic grades

Alumina 96 Sintered properties

Typical room-temperature values for Alumina 96 Sintered; 14 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 Sintered 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).

Density3.72 g/cm³0.13 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,750°C3,182 °F
Porosity1%

Mechanical13

Alumina 96 Sintered has a tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 300 GPa (43.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus300 GPa43.5 Msi
Shear Modulus124 GPa18 Msi
Bulk Modulus172 GPa24.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.21
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)190 MPa27.6 ksi
Elongation at Break0%
Compressive Strength2,100 MPa305 ksi
Flexural Strength330 MPa47.9 ksi
Shear Strength165 MPa23.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers1,150 HV
Hardness, Knoop1,100 HK
Hardness, Mohs9

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 55% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 7 µm/m·K (3.89 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity25 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)7 µm/m·K3.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)1,500°C2,732 °F
Min Service Temperature-269°C-452 °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.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength15 kV/mm381 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)9.2
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)4×10⁻⁴
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 88% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent92/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent against most acids, salts, solvents and molten metals; the silicate glass phase is attacked by HF, hot concentrated phosphoric acid and strong alkalis (NaOH melts), and by alkali vapours above ~1200 °C.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Alumina 96 Sintered takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 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)3.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability3

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

MachinabilityNot recommended5/100
PolishabilityVery good75/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature1,580°C2,876 °F

Common Calculations4

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated51 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated80.6 MN·m/kg
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated7.6 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated2

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

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Al2O3alpha-alumina main phase95 – 9796
SiO2glass former1.5 – 32.4
MgOgrain-growth inhibitor / sintering aid0.3 – 1.20.8
CaOliquid-phase sintering aid0.2 – 10.6
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 57% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.

Is Alumina 96 Sintered 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 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.

Sources

  1. AD-96 Alumina material properties — CoorsTek (2023)
  2. Fine Ceramics — Alumina A-473/96% characteristics — Kyocera (2022)
  3. ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
  4. ASTM C1161 / C773 — flexural and compressive strength of advanced ceramics — ASTM (2018)
  5. 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.