Macor – Machinable Ceramic

Q:

At present, Corning can only provide two specifications of Macor materials: 330*350*57mm (approximate size) and φ76mm*317mm. Junjie

Ceramics has a very rich experience in the processing of Macor machinable ceramics, and can process products within the full size range of the above two specifications. 

We have 8 CNC machining centers for high-precision ceramics, as well as five-axis machining centers. The Macor ceramic products we process include: ion trap lens holders, four-stage rod 

ceramic holders, insulators, etc.

Machining accuracy

Flatness: 0.001mm

Dimensional tolerance: 0.001mm

Roughness: Ra0.01um

Q:

Glass ceramic materials are a type of material that generates small crystals in a glass matrix through specific heat treatment processes. They have the transparency of glass and excellent mechanical and thermal properties of ceramics. Common glass ceramic materials include the following:

• Zerodur Glass Ceramic

• Lithium aluminum silicate (LAS) glass ceramics

• Aluminum silicate glass ceramics

• Silicon nitride glass ceramic

• Phosphate glass ceramics

• Machinable glass-ceramic

These glass ceramics are widely used in optical instruments, aerospace, electronics, and medical fields

Q:

Macor machinable glass ceramics were originally designed for NASA's space shuttle to prevent heat transfer from the outside to the interior of the shuttle. Due to its electrically 

insulating and thermal insulation properties, it was used in the window frames of the space shuttle; Macor is radiation resistant and porosity free (porosity is zero), and it does not emit 

vapors of any kind (toxic or otherwise) even at the lower pressures found in spacecraft. As a result, Macor was later used in many high vacuum environments, making it an excellent material 

for vacuum applications such as electron microscopy.

Main Applications:

Electronics/Semiconductors

Precision coil holder (high precision, dimensional stability)

High-voltage insulators (smooth and unaffected by arcing)

Laser applications

Gaskets, cavities and reflectors in laser assemblies (precision surface treatment and heat resistance)

High vacuum applications

Thermal fracture in high-temperature processing equipment.

Coil holder and vacuum feed-through (vacuum-stable and hermetically sealable)

Aerospace/space industry

NASA space shuttle hinges, fixing rings on doors and windows

Brackets and components (thermally and electrically insulated) in multiple spaceborne systems

Nuclear industry

Fixtures and reference blocks in power generation units (dimensions independent of irradiation)

Q:

There is a clear difference between Macor and alumina ceramics. Compared with alumina ceramics, Macor has the characteristics of low processing cost and strong plasticity.

 Alumina ceramics are a kind of hard technical ceramics, which are processed with diamond grinding tools for grinding.

The processing cost is relatively high. Here are the main differences between the two materials that can be considered when choosing between Macor and Alumina.

Operating temperature

The maximum operating temperature of Macor is 800°C; The maximum operating temperature of alumina is 1000°C.

Abrasion resistance

The same machinable properties of Macor mean that it is relatively less resistant to wear compared to alumina.

cost

For smaller quantities, Macor offers a better value for money.

Q:

Macor is mainly composed of fluorocrystalline mica and borosilicate glass, which is a composite material. The two main ingredients account for about 45% and 55% respectively. Here are its main chemical components:

46% Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

17% Magnesium Oxide (MgO)

16% Alumina (Al2O3)

10% potassium (K2O)

7% Boron (B2O3 )

4% fluorine (F)

Q:

Macor machinable glass-ceramic can be easily machined with standard metalworking tools, rendering it suitable for the fabrication of complex, high-precision components. The following are essential guidelines for machining this material:

It is recommended to utilize carbide or polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutting tools to achieve optimal results. Additionally, it is essential to maintain sharp edges to mitigate the risk of material chipping.

The machining speeds should be maintained at moderate levels, generally ranging from 300 to 1000 revolutions per minute (RPM), while the feed rate should be set between 0.002 and 0.005 inches per revolution for both turning and milling processes.

The machining process can be conducted without coolant; however, the application of water-soluble coolant enhances the surface finish and minimizes tool wear.

It is advisable to provide a small machining allowance for subsequent grinding or polishing processes. Typical tolerances of ±0.0005 inches can be attained.

For achieving finer surface finishes, it is advisable to employ diamond grinding and polishing subsequent to the rough machining process.

By adhering to these guidelines, Macor components can be precisely machined into complex shapes while preserving their inherent properties.

Q:

Macor is a high-performance machinable glass ceramic developed by Corning Inc. Known for its unique processability, it is suitable for various industry applications. Macor has a temperature resistance of up to 1000 ° C and excellent electrical insulation performance, and is commonly used in aerospace, electronics, and medical device manufacturing.

One of the prominent features of Macor is its processability. Macor can be easily formed and manufactured using standard machining tools, enabling complex designs and precise tolerances. This ability greatly shortens production time and costs, making it the preferred material for prototypes and customized components.

In addition, Macor exhibits characteristics suitable for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environments, which benefits from its pore free microstructure. And excellent chemical stability.

Q:

 Both Macor and Shapal Hi M Soft are machinable glass ceramics with good machinability. Nevertheless, there are significant differences between the two materials, especially in terms of thermal and mechanical 

properties. The following are the material differences sorted out by Junjie Ceramics for your reference when purchasing. 

Visibility

Macor was born earlier than shapal and has a wider range of applications, so the former is much more well-known than the latter. In China, there is no agent of shapal materials, and materials can only

be purchased from abroad,and Junjie is one of the few processors in China.

Thermal conductivity

Thermal conductivity is the most significant difference between the two materials, and Macor is a thermal insulator with a thermal conductivity of only 1.46 W/(m K) that can be used as an insulating medium

Shapal Hi M,on the other 

hand, is a heat conductor with a thermal conductivity of up to 90 W/(m K) 

(close to silicon carbide ceramics). Therefore, if thermal conductivity is your key consideration when choosing these two materials, I believe you can now make a quick judgment.

Thermal shock

There is also a clear difference between Macor and Shapal in terms of thermal shock resistance. While Makor is prone to chipping when subjected to rapid hot and cold cycles, the Shapal is much better at this.

 Therefore, if the use environment often requires thermal cycling, there is no doubt that Shapal is a better choice.

Maximum temperature

The maximum operating temperature of the Makor is 800°C (in an air atmosphere) and the maximum operating temperature of the Shapal can reach 1900°C (in an inert atmosphere).

Mechanical strength

Shapal has better flexural strength (300 vs. 94 MPa) as well as better compressive strength (1200 vs. 345 MPa) compared to Macor.

Cost of use

Macor is a relatively cost-effective material from a material cost perspective, which is why Macor has a much higher market share than Shapal Hi M Soft, so when both materials meet the design needs, 

Macor is a better choice.