Every ceramic body we work with

At 99.9% aluminium oxide, this is the highest-integrity alumina we supply. It is specified where a single property, or a combination of wear, electrical, thermal, and corrosion resistance, has to be pushed to its limit. The trade-off is cost and tooling, so we reserve it for applications that genuinely need it.

99.5% alumina is widely used where exceptional electrical resistance has to combine with resistance to chemical attack. The grain is fine, strong, and smooth, giving high mechanical strength and good thermal conductivity.

96% alumina is widely used in electronic and semiconductor applications thanks to its superior electrical properties. It pairs a small dielectric constant with high mechanical strength and high thermal conductivity, and resists oil and most chemicals.

95% alumina is one of the most popular ceramic materials in our range, with properties a step above 92% alumina at a competitive price. It suits complex shapes such as heat sinks, discs, insulators, and igniters.

92% alumina is a popular, hard-wearing material used across machines and systems in steel plants, foundries, mining and mineral processing, paper and pulp, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, power generation, cement, and transport.

Aluminium nitride (AlN) is unusual: it offers very high thermal conductivity while remaining an excellent electrical insulator. That combination, plus low thermal expansion and good metalization capacity, makes it the material of choice for heat-dissipating electronics that still need isolation.

Boron nitride exists in several forms. The hexagonal form (hBN), sometimes called white graphite, is soft, machinable, and self-lubricating, with excellent thermal shock resistance and electrical insulation. It is widely used for crucibles, breakrings, and high-temperature fixtures.

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) is optimal for components that see high temperature and high mechanical load at once, such as engine parts and bearings. It is around 60% lighter than steel, with high fracture toughness, low friction, and good electrical insulation.

Zirconia (zirconium oxide) is the strongest and toughest of the advanced ceramics. It is used for blades, pump parts, and precision components that would chip or fracture in alumina. Magnesia- and yttria-stabilised grades are available to suit the application.

Zircon toughened alumina (ZTA) disperses zirconia through an alumina matrix to lift mechanical strength and wear resistance well above plain alumina, while staying more economical than full zirconia. It is the intelligent compromise when alumina is not quite tough enough and zirconia is more than the job needs.

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a compound of silicon and carbon with a rare combination of extreme hardness, high thermal conductivity, and chemical inertness. We have manufactured SiC components for over 30 years, from large kiln muffles to diamond-lapped rollers exceeding 1000mm.

Boron carbide (B4C) is the lightest technical ceramic at around 2.52 g/cm3, and among the hardest materials known, second only to diamond. Its low weight, high hardness, and neutron-absorbing capacity make it valuable for ballistic protection and nuclear applications.

Steatite is a magnesium-silicate ceramic and a long-standing, economical electrical insulator. We hold several grades, including high-strength steatite for structural insulators and low-loss steatite for higher-frequency electrical work, plus a crushable grade for element-tube inserts.

Cordierite is a magnesium-aluminium-silicate prized for very low thermal expansion and excellent thermal-shock resistance. We supply dense, self-glazing, zircon, and refractory cordierite grades for kiln furniture, heater supports, and parts that are repeatedly heated and cooled.

Mullite is an aluminosilicate refractory with excellent high-temperature strength, low thermal expansion, and good creep resistance. It is a reliable choice for furnace components, thermocouple protection, and refractory fixtures that must hold shape at temperature.

Zircon (zirconium silicate) combines low thermal expansion, high thermal-shock resistance, and strong chemical durability. It is used for refractory components, insulators, and parts exposed to molten metal or aggressive chemistry.

Technical porcelain is a proven, cost-effective body for electrical insulators and larger glazed components. It handles high voltage, performs well outdoors and in wet conditions, and can be wet-pressed into substantial parts.

Sapphire is single-crystal aluminium oxide, one of the hardest naturally occurring materials at 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond. It is optically transparent, extremely scratch resistant, and chemically inert, suiting windows, wear surfaces, and demanding optical and electronic parts.

Machinable glass ceramic combines fluorophlogopite mica with a borosilicate glass, so it can be machined into complex, precise shapes with ordinary cutting tools, no firing step required. It withstands high temperatures, holds tight tolerances, and is a zero-porosity electrical insulator with no outgassing.

Magnesium oxide (magnesia) is used chiefly for tubular heating-element insulation, where its combination of electrical insulation and thermal conductivity at temperature is hard to beat. We supply it where elements need to be isolated yet still transfer heat.

Our refractory bodies are formulated to hold structural integrity through repeated, severe heat cycles. They underpin our refractory anchors (rated to 1265 degrees C) and custom furnace, kiln, and boiler-lining components.