Alumina (Al2O3) Electrical Insulators - Properties and Applications by...

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Alumina (Al2O3) Electrical Insulators - Properties and

Applications by Precision Ceramics

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Background
Characteristics of Alumina and Aluminium Oxide
Properties of Aluminium Oxide
Corrosion Resistance of Aluminium Oxide
Applications of Aluminium Oxide
Alumina Bead as Electrical Insulators

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Background
Precision Ceramics, a division of McGeoch Technology, is a company dedicated to the
engineering of technical ceramics. From procurement and supply through to technical design
and specialist machining, we offer a complete service.
Our reputation for quality and service is truly international with specialist ceramic components
engineered by Precision Ceramics finding their way into an ever-widening array of worldwide
applications in industries as diverse as aerospace, opto-electronics and nuclear power.
In both new applications and in areas where technical ceramics are already being used,
Precision Ceramics has the necessary expertise and in-depth knowledge to quickly find the
best way forward for any potential application from prototypes through to full-scale production
of components. And once fully up and running, we can easily take the process one stage
further by offering expert advice in the engineering of more demanding materials.
The company operates to the very highest quality standards and holds BS5750 Part 1,
ISO9000 and BASEEFA approval.

Characteristics of Alumina and Aluminium Oxide

Alumina is the more common name of Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) and is a hard wearing
material used for many applications. Once fired and sintered, it can only be machined using
diamond-grinding methods.
Aluminium oxide is an electrical insulator but has a relatively high thermal conductivity (40
W/m K). In its most commonly occurring crystalline form, called corundum or -aluminium
oxide, its hardness makes it suitable for use as an abrasive and as a component in cutting
tools.

Properties of Aluminium Oxide

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Aluminium oxide is responsible for metallic aluminium's resistance to weathering. Metallic

aluminium is very reactive with atmospheric oxygen, and a thin passivation layer of alumina
quickly forms on any exposed aluminium surface. This layer protects the metal from further
oxidation. The thickness and properties of this oxide layer can be enhanced using a process
called anodising.

Corrosion Resistance of Aluminium Oxide

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A number of alloys, such as aluminium bronzes, exploit this property by including a proportion
of aluminium in the alloy to enhance corrosion resistance. The alumina generated by
anodising is typically amorphous, but discharge assisted oxidation processes such as plasma

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electrolytic oxidation result in a significant proportion of crystalline alumina in the coating,

enhancing its hardness.

Applications of Aluminium Oxide

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Alumina's combination of hardness, high temperature operation and good electrical insulation
makes it useful for a wide range of applications. Alumina is the most commonly used type of
ceramic and is available in purities up to 99.9%. Typical applications inlcude electrical
insulators; seal faces; valve seats.

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Alumina Bead as Electrical Insulators

For many years fish spine beads have been used as a practical method of insulating wires with
the beads interlocking together to provide continuous electrical insulation. Traditionally, the
beads have been manufactured from a porcelain which although excellent for electrical
purposes has not been mechanically strong or dense enough to be used in vacuum chambers
or similar scientific instruments.
Precision Ceramics has now launched a range of standard fish spine beads, all manufactured
from high purity alumina and therefore vacuum compatible and fully dense.

Source: Precison Ceramics

For more information on this source please visit Precision Ceramics
Date Added: Nov 16, 2008 | Updated: Jun 11, 2013
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