Design Guide
How to Specify a Custom Ceramic Part From Your Drawing
Most ceramic quotations stall for the same three reasons: missing tolerances, geometry that suits metal and not ceramic, and no statement of the working environment.
Mark Which Dimensions Are Critical
Grinding effort goes where you mark it. If every dimension carries a tight tolerance the price reflects that. Mark the functional faces and bores, and leave the rest as formed.
Avoid Metal Habits in the Geometry
Sharp internal corners, thin unsupported webs and interference fits are normal in metal and are failure points in ceramic. Give internal corners a radius and replace press fits with clamped, shrink or bonded mounting.
State the Working Environment
Temperature, medium, abrasion and whether the part sees impact decide the body. Zirconia for impact, alumina for thermal and dielectric duty, silicon carbide for abrasion with heat, silicon nitride for thermal cycling.
Give the Real Quantity
Minimums here start at 1 piece on alumina blank plate, 10 pieces on substrates and industrial blades and 100 pieces on clipper blades. An honest annual quantity gets a better price than an inflated one.
Ask for the Sample First
Samples are delivered in 4 to 7 working days free of charge with freight paid by the buyer. Running a sample through one maintenance interval is worth more than any datasheet comparison.
Products Covered in This Guide
Zirconia Ceramic PartsZirconia Ceramic Structural PartsLoad bearing ceramic components where steel wears and plastic deflectsView specifications
Al2O3 Alumina Ceramic PartsAl2O3 Alumina Ceramic SubstratesHeat spreading insulating plates from 0.1 mm thickness with laser scribingView specifications
SSIC SiC PartsSIC Silicon Carbide Ceramic Ring CylinderSeal faces and sleeves ground to plus or minus 0.005 mmView specifications
Steatite Ceramic PartsSteatite Ceramic InsulatorSticks strips channels and blocks rated for 1100 degree serviceView specificationsQuestions About This Topic
What format should the drawing be in?
A 2D or 3D drawing is fine. Mark the critical dimensions and their tolerances.
Do you sign confidentiality agreements on drawings?
Send your agreement with the enquiry and we will review it before the drawing is circulated internally. This is TBC against your own template.
How long before I get a quotation?
Send the drawing with the quantity and the working environment and we come back with material, tolerance, minimum order and lead time.
More Guides
Comparison GuideZirconia vs Alumina How to Choose the Right Technical CeramicAlumina is harder and cheaper. Zirconia is tougher and stronger. The choice comes down to section thickness, impact and whether the duty is thermal or mechanical.
Material GuideAlumina Ceramic Grades 95 Percent and 99 Percent ComparedThe purity number changes strength, dielectric behaviour and price. Here is what the 99% body actually gives you over 95%, with the measured values from our own material data.
Material GuideSteatite Ceramic Explained Talc Based InsulatorsSteatite is the body inside most electric heating equipment. It is made from mineral talc, it holds resistivity when hot, and it costs less than alumina.Apply This to Your Part
Send the drawing and the duty. We will confirm the body and the achievable tolerance before you commit to anything.
Send a 2D or 3D drawing by WhatsApp or email. Samples in 4 to 7 working days.