Wear Resistant Ceramics: Not Just Your Average Dinner Plate Or Tea Cup

By Author: Wilber Whitfield
Total Articles: 72
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During the Second World War, the science of metallurgy thrived and prospered in leaps and bounds. Though not intended for war, often some necessary inventions come out as a result of war. During this period, there was a growing need for better materials that could sustain high pressures and temperatures and yet serve the demanding needs of war operations. The infantry always had to travel light and could not afford to carry replacement parts along with ammunition. Since the science of logistics was evolving, maintenance and repair operations were being looked upon as a luxury than a necessity.

The difficult times of war eventually re-discovered the use of ceramics. Long seen as material for plates, tea cups, and saucers, war scientists suddenly discovered its potential to withstand challenging pressures and heat, not to mention that it could electrical and electronic applications without danger while in use or to the user. As ceramic evolved when mixed with synthetic silicon carbide compounds, the raw material came to be known later as “Wear Resistant Ceramics.”

This silicon carbide synthetic compound ...
... was extremely hard and almost wear-proof. The bonding chemistry in the material spanned out in such a manner that the nitrite bonded silicon compound exhibited the ability to resist corrosion at any temperature, pressure, and humidity. As an application, the compound was used in mining and mineral processing operations. The results were more than what was expected and wear resistant ceramics announced their arrival.

The Wear Resistant Ceramic showed an ability to withstand natural corrosion, wear, rust, erosion, scraping, and scratching. These unavoidable natural problems were often the prime reason for most manufacturing being high on cost and low on returns. Ceramics ensured that the downtime associated with the processes were low and manageable.

Currently, Wear Resistant Ceramics are available in various forms. Boron, Tungsten, and Nitride are some of the additives in ceramics for applications such as for armored vehicles, forming and polishing processes in foundries, pumps, and jets. In addition, general consumption components are now casted and made from Wear Resistant Ceramic to counter high replacement costs.

Their non-porous surfaces that will not allow impurities to enter are one of the properties of Wear Resistant Ceramic that make it stand out from other materials. They are not inducers of electricity so this makes them vital in electronic and electrical applications.

Indicating its adaptability to a variety of shapes and sizes, Wear Resistant Ceramics demonstrate a high quotient for elasticity. Shelf life is never a determinant for a ceramic’s lifespan. Ceramics can theoretically survive unlimited periods being a synthetic compound. They are extremely tough materials that sustain abrasion and wear causing compounds.

In modern production circles, manufacturing firms are not shy on spending big on necessary investments. However, all Operating Expenditures (OPEX) should justify the investment in the long run. Wear Resistant Ceramics can virtually fit into any type of component and can be adjusted accordingly. The product’s elements can vary from the simplest versions of silica to complicated tungsten ceramics. The future certainly holds adequate business sense for manufacturers to align themselves with Wear Resistant Ceramics.

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