Technical Porcelain (C110) C120
Grade
C120 = aluminous porcelain
Use when mechanical load or thermal shock exceeds quartz porcelain capability, e.g. HV line insulators and switchgear parts.
Values for the C120 condition
Other Technical Porcelain (C110) tempers and conditions
Technical Porcelain (C110) is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at Technical Porcelain (C110).
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C110-UGDefault C110 unglazed | Standard low-cost vitrified porcelain for insulating bodies, fuse carriers and terminal blocks where surface glaze is not required. | — | 28 | — | 600 HV | 2 W/m·K |
C120This page Aluminous porcelain | Use when mechanical load or thermal shock exceeds quartz porcelain capability, e.g. HV line insulators and switchgear parts. | — | 50 | — | 700 HV | 2 W/m·K |
High-alumina porcelain, high mechanical strength | Highest-strength porcelain family grade for heavily loaded HV insulators, cap-and-pin discs and mechanically stressed bushings. | — | 65 | — | 800 HV | 3 W/m·K |
What is Technical Porcelain (C110) C120?
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 is Technical Porcelain (C110) in the C120 grade — use when mechanical load or thermal shock exceeds quartz porcelain capability, e.g. HV line insulators and switchgear parts. Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 has a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi), weaker than 67% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 has a density of 2.6 g/cm³ (0.0939 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of ceramic grades. C110-UG is the default condition FabDigit quotes; C120 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of ceramic grades
- Lightweight — 2.6 g/cm³ (0.0939 lb/in³), better than 80% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 1.8 W/m·K (1.04 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of ceramic grades
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Technical Porcelain (C110) C120; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Technical Porcelain (C110) reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 has a density of 2.6 g/cm³ (0.0939 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of ceramic grades.
Mechanical13
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 has a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi), weaker than 67% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal5
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 is rated for continuous service to 1,000°C (1,832 °F). It conducts heat at 1.8 W/m·K (1.04 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 6 µm/m·K (3.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 18 kV/mm (457.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 69% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 takes about 22 MJ of energy and emits 1.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 96% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability3
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Technical Porcelain (C110) C120
Is Technical Porcelain (C110) easy to machine?
Machine in the green or bisque state (turning, drilling, milling with carbide) and allow ~10–14 % firing shrinkage; fired parts need diamond grinding, lapping or laser/ultrasonic drilling.
Can Technical Porcelain (C110) be welded?
Not weldable — join by glass frit sealing, glaze bonding, ceramic-to-metal cementing (sulphur/Portland cement in insulator caps) or metallized brazing.
Can Technical Porcelain (C110) be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by slip casting, extrusion of plastic body, jiggering or dry/isostatic pressing of spray-dried granulate, then single-fire at ~1200–1350 °C in tunnel kilns.
What surface finishes work on Technical Porcelain (C110)?
Silicate glaze (brown/grey/white) sprayed or dipped before firing gives a compressive, self-cleaning surface; unglazed faces are ground flat and edges chamfered to avoid chipping.
Technical Porcelain (C110) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiO2quartz + glassy phase | 60 – 72 | 67 |
| Al2O3from clay/kaolin; mullite after firing | 20 – 30 | 25 |
| K2Ofeldspar flux | 1.5 – 5 | 3 |
| Na2Ofeldspar flux | 0.3 – 2 | 1 |
| CaO | 0.1 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
| MgO | 0.1 – 1 | 0.4 |
| Fe2O3colouring impurity | 0.1 – 1.2 | 0.5 |
| TiO2 | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 — frequently asked
What is Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 used for?
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 is typically used for high-voltage line insulators, spark plug insulators, electrical bushings and chemical process ware. In short: lowest-cost technical ceramic; standard HV insulator body; weather-resistant glazed surface.
What is the tensile strength of Technical Porcelain (C110) C120?
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) — weaker than 67% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). Machine in the green or bisque state (turning, drilling, milling with carbide) and allow ~10–14 % firing shrinkage; fired parts need diamond grinding, lapping or laser/ultrasonic drilling.
Can Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 be welded?
Not weldable — join by glass frit sealing, glaze bonding, ceramic-to-metal cementing (sulphur/Portland cement in insulator caps) or metallized brazing.
What surface finishes work on Technical Porcelain (C110) C120?
Silicate glaze (brown/grey/white) sprayed or dipped before firing gives a compressive, self-cleaning surface; unglazed faces are ground flat and edges chamfered to avoid chipping.
Can Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by slip casting, extrusion of plastic body, jiggering or dry/isostatic pressing of spray-dried granulate, then single-fire at ~1200–1350 °C in tunnel kilns.
What is the maximum service temperature of Technical Porcelain (C110) C120?
Technical Porcelain (C110) C120 is rated for continuous use to about 1,000°C (1,832 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- IEC 60672-3 Ceramic and glass insulating materials — Part 3: Specifications for individual materials (Group C 110) — IEC (1997)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Technical porcelain (C110/C120/C130) material data — Ceramic component producers (e.g. Ensinger/CeramTec class data) (2022)
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.