Technical ceramics, advanced ceramics, engineered ceramics
All three names describe the same class of material: ceramics of controlled composition — such as alumina (aluminium oxide, Al₂O₃) and zirconia — formed and sintered at temperatures above 1,500 °C until they develop a dense, hard, chemically stable microstructure. Unlike traditional ceramics (bricks, tiles, tableware), technical ceramics are engineering materials: each formulation is designed for a target property, such as wear resistance, chemical resistance or heat resistance.
In industry, their most common role is replacing metal where it fails. Surfaces exposed to continuous abrasion — mineral slurries, abrasive powders, ash, grain — wear out hardened steel in weeks. A wear-resistant ceramic lining at the same point multiplies equipment life by up to 10× compared with alloys such as Ni-Hard.
Properties of technical ceramics
- Extreme hardness — 9 Mohs, above 1,300 HV: the surface barely wears in contact with abrasive materials.
- Abrasion resistance — withstands continuous flow of slurries, powders and particles where hardened steel fails.
- Chemical inertness — inert to aggressive acids, alkalis and solvents; no corrosion and no contamination of the processed product.
- Thermal stability — retains mechanical properties at high service temperatures, with no deformation.
- Low roughness — a smooth surface that cuts friction and material build-up, improving process flow.
- Dimensional precision — parts ground to tight tolerances, with a perfect fit at assembly.
Technical ceramics vs. traditional ceramics
Traditional ceramics start from natural raw materials (clays) and tolerate wide variations in composition — the goal is shape and cost. Technical ceramics start from high-purity oxides with controlled particle size and composition, and are sintered at much higher temperatures, virtually free of glassy phase. The result is a structural material with predictable, reproducible mechanical properties, specified through hardness, density, flexural and water-absorption testing.
MaterialsKey materials: alumina first
The most widely used material in industrial technical ceramics is alumina (Al₂O₃), for its combination of hardness, chemical inertness and cost. CETARCH manufactures the CT CEDUR line, with alumina content from 90% to 99.7% and nanoparticles built into the formulation — including doped-zirconia and rare-earth compositions for specific demands.
| Material | Al₂O₃ content | Hardness HV | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CT CEDUR 90Standard · lining | 90% a 99,5% | > 1300 HV | High-hardness, chemical-attack lining |
| CT CEDUR 94HHHigh abrasion | 95,8–96,3% | 1450–1500 HV | Excellent abrasion resistance |
| CT CEDUR 96HHAbrasion + impact | 95,8–96,3% | 1500–1600 HV | Severe abrasion and impact |
| CT CEDUR 99HHHigh purity | 99,5–99,7% | 1550–1600 HV | Abrasion, impact, chemistry and thin/complex parts |
Where technical ceramics are used
Wherever equipment lives with abrasion, corrosion or heat, there is an application for technical ceramics. The most common cases in heavy industry:
- Mining — lining of cyclones, slurry pumps, piping and chutes that carry ore.
- Cement — grinding, pneumatic conveying and separation of abrasive material at high temperature.
- Steel — sinter, pelletizing and handling of pig iron and particulates.
- Energy — thermal power plants: pulverized coal, fly ash and bottom ash.
- Chemical, pulp & paper, agribusiness — corrosive fluids, slurries and abrasive grain.
In these sectors, ceramics take the shape of ready-to-install components: cyclones, pipes and elbows, lined pumps, bushings, orifice plates and custom-engineered parts.
How technical ceramics are made
- Raw material — high-purity oxides; CETARCH produces its own alumina, zirconia and rare-earth nanoparticles, contamination-free.
- Forming — pressing, extrusion or slip casting, depending on part geometry.
- Sintering — firing above 1,600 °C in in-house kilns, densifying the material virtually free of glassy phase.
- Grinding & QC — precision machining plus hardness, density and absorption testing to guarantee the specification.
Frequently asked questions about technical ceramics
What is the difference between technical ceramics and advanced ceramics?
None — they are synonyms. "Technical ceramics", "advanced ceramics" and "engineered ceramics" all describe the same family of high-performance ceramic materials, designed for structural and protective functions in industry.
Are technical ceramics harder than steel?
Yes, much harder. Technical alumina reaches 9 Mohs and over 1,300 HV Vickers hardness — well above hardened steels and wear alloys such as Ni-Hard. That is why, in pure abrasion, a ceramic component can last 10 times longer than its metal equivalent.
How long does a wear-resistant ceramic lining last?
It depends on the severity of the process, but the field benchmark is up to 10× the service life obtained with Ni-Hard or hardened steel at the same point. Beyond lasting longer, the part keeps its geometry — preserving process efficiency between shutdowns.
Which industries use technical ceramics?
Mining, cement, steel, energy (thermal power), chemical, ceramics and glass, pulp and paper, and agribusiness — any process with abrasion, corrosion or high temperature is a candidate.
Do technical ceramics resist chemicals?
Yes. Alumina is inert to aggressive acids, alkalis and solvents under typical process conditions, with no corrosion and no contamination of the processed material — an important advantage over metals in chemical and pulp & paper plants.
Can ceramic parts be custom made?
Yes. CETARCH designs and manufactures 100% custom parts: engineering analyses the wear point, defines the geometry and the right CT CEDUR formulation, sinters and grinds the part, and follows up installation and field performance.