NTC Ceramic
NTC Ceramic is a spinel-structured transition-metal oxide whose resistance falls sharply as temperature rises, making it the standard material for temperature sensing and inrush-current limiting.
Reference datasheet — NTC Ceramic is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the MNC condition
NTC Ceramic tempers and conditions
NTC Ceramic is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. MNC is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mn-Ni-Cu-Fe low-resistivity power grade | Pick large-diameter discs for inrush-current limiting: low resistivity and high heat capacity let the element survive repeated energisation and self-heating up to 200 °C. | 50 | 0 | 640 HV | 4 W/m·K | |
MNCDefault Mn-Ni-Co spinel, standard sensing grade | Default for temperature measurement and compensation chips or discs: medium room-temperature resistivity, B25/85 of 3400–4000 K and tight unit-to-unit consistency up to 150 °C. | 60 | 0 | 700 HV | 4 W/m·K | |
Fine-grain bead body for glass-encapsulated precision thermistors | Choose the fine-grain, high-density bead body for glass-encapsulated probes needing ±0.1 °C-class accuracy and the best long-term stability, such as medical sensors, to 300 °C. | 70 | 0 | 760 HV | 5 W/m·K | |
High-temperature NTC | Use for exhaust-gas and heater measuring points: the spinel-plus-perovskite (Y-Cr-Mn oxide) body has high resistivity and ageing resistance and runs continuously at 500–1000 °C. | 800 HV | 4 W/m·K |
What is NTC Ceramic?
NTC Ceramic is a spinel-structured transition-metal oxide whose resistance falls sharply as temperature rises, making it the standard material for temperature sensing and inrush-current limiting. It is produced as pressed discs, tape-cast chips and glass-encapsulated beads in MNC, PWR, HT and BEAD conditions, with a density of 5.1 g/cm3 and 4 W/(m.K) thermal conductivity. Service is limited to 150 C in the default condition, thermal conductivity is low, and the fired body rates 5 for machinability, so all geometry should be set in the green state. NTC Ceramic has a density of 5.1 g/cm³ (0.184 lb/in³), heavier than 52% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F). NTC Ceramic has a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi), weaker than 63% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 135 GPa (19.6 Msi).
What is NTC Ceramic used for?
- temperature sensors
- inrush current limiters
- battery pack thermal monitoring
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 90% of ceramic grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 79% of ceramic grades
NTC Ceramic properties
Typical room-temperature values for NTC Ceramic-MNC; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
NTC Ceramic has a density of 5.1 g/cm³ (0.184 lb/in³), heavier than 52% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F).
Mechanical12
NTC Ceramic has a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi), weaker than 63% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 135 GPa (19.6 Msi).
Thermal5
NTC Ceramic is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 4 W/m·K (2.31 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 8.5 µm/m·K (4.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
NTC Ceramic has an electrical resistivity of 100 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 59% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of NTC Ceramic takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 62% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
NTC Ceramic's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% 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.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. NTC Ceramic is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with NTC Ceramic
Is NTC Ceramic easy to machine?
After sintering, only diamond grinding, ultrasonic machining or laser scribing are possible. Forming in the green state by dry pressing, tape casting and punching is the most economical route.
Can NTC Ceramic be welded?
The ceramic body cannot be welded. Electrodes are fired-on Ag or Ag-Pd paste or sputtered Ni-Cu, with leads attached by soldering or welding, or by a glass-sealed joint.
Can NTC Ceramic be formed, bent or molded?
Oxide powders are blended, ball milled, calcined, granulated and then dry pressed or tape cast, followed by air sintering at 1150-1350 C. The cooling rate governs cation distribution and therefore the B value.
NTC Ceramic 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mnadded as Mn3O4/MnCO3; main spinel B-site constituent | 25 – 45 | 36 |
| Nias NiO; adjusts B value and resistivity | 5 – 20 | 12 |
| Coas Co3O4; lowers resistivity, improves stability | 3 – 20 | 11 |
| Cuadded in power-type/low-resistance formulas | 0 – 8 | 0 |
| Fepower-type formulas and improved aging behavior | 0 – 8 | 0 |
| Alstabilizes the spinel phase in high-temperature types | 0 – 3 | 0 |
| Ooxygen site of the spinel (AB2O4) lattice | balance |
What surface finishes work on NTC Ceramic?
Grind the end faces to hold thickness tolerance, screen print Ag electrodes and fire them at 700-850 C, then epoxy coat or glass encapsulate and burn in to stabilise resistance.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to NTC Ceramic in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- NTC
How much does NTC Ceramic cost?
NTC Ceramic is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
NTC Ceramic — frequently asked
What is NTC Ceramic used for?
NTC Ceramic is typically used for temperature sensors, inrush current limiters and battery pack thermal monitoring. In short: steep negative temperature coefficient; sensing and inrush limiting; green-formed net shapes.
What is the tensile strength of NTC Ceramic?
NTC Ceramic has a typical tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — weaker than 63% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is NTC Ceramic easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades). After sintering, only diamond grinding, ultrasonic machining or laser scribing are possible. Forming in the green state by dry pressing, tape casting and punching is the most economical route.
Can NTC Ceramic be welded?
The ceramic body cannot be welded. Electrodes are fired-on Ag or Ag-Pd paste or sputtered Ni-Cu, with leads attached by soldering or welding, or by a glass-sealed joint.
What surface finishes work on NTC Ceramic?
Grind the end faces to hold thickness tolerance, screen print Ag electrodes and fire them at 700-850 C, then epoxy coat or glass encapsulate and burn in to stabilise resistance.
Can NTC Ceramic be formed, bent or molded?
Oxide powders are blended, ball milled, calcined, granulated and then dry pressed or tape cast, followed by air sintering at 1150-1350 C. The cooling rate governs cation distribution and therefore the B value.
What is the maximum service temperature of NTC Ceramic?
NTC Ceramic is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does NTC Ceramic cost?
NTC Ceramic is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- IEC 60539-1 Directly heated negative temperature coefficient thermistors — IEC (2016)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- NTC Thermistors — General Technical Information — TDK/EPCOS (2023)
- NTC Thermistor Application Notes — Vishay / Murata (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.