Silicon nitride ceramic parts
High HardnessEasy Machining

Silicon Nitride Ceramics

Silicon nitride is known as one of the hardest substances in the world. It is famous for its excellent mechanical strength, thermal stability and low density. It is an inorganic ceramic material that does not shrink during sintering. It can maintain reliability in extreme environments and is widely used in applications such as semiconductors, automobiles, and industrial machinery.

Machining Capability

Silicon Nitride is an extremely hard ceramic material that is difficult to machine and prone to edge chipping. With our advanced machining capabilities, we provide high-precision, complex Silicon Nitride ceramic components to meet the demanding requirements of your applications.

Silicon Nitride ceramics
Tolerance ±1um
Flatness 1 µm (Φ300)
Micropores 0.3mm
Roughness Ra0.005μm
Internal Thread M2.0
Max. Size 400*400mm

Advantages

  • High strength and stiffness even at elevated temperatures
  • Superior thermal shock resistance compared to alumina and zirconia
  • Excellent wear and corrosion resistance.
  • Lightweight with high fracture toughness
  • Electrical insulation with good thermal conductivity
  • Outstanding performance under high-speed and high-load conditions

Properties

The table below lists the material properties of our aluminum nitride ceramics. These parameters are for reference only, and slight differences may exist between different batches of products.

Mechanical Properties Unit Silicon Nitride
Density g/cm³ 3.2
Hardness GPa 15
Flexural Strength MPa 1000
Compressive Strength MPa 3000
Elastic Modulus GPa 320
Fracture Toughness MPa·m1/2 8
Poisson's Ratio 0.26
Young's Modulus GPa 320
Thermal Properties Unit Silicon Nitride
Thermal Conductivity W/m·K 25
Melting Point °C 1900
Specific Heat J/g·K 0.71
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion ×10⁻⁶/K 3.2
Maximum Operating Temperature °C 1400
Thermal Properties Unit Silicon Nitride
Thermal Conductivity W/m·K 25
Melting Point °C 1900
Specific Heat J/g·K 0.71
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion ×10⁻⁶/K 3.2
Maximum Operating Temperature °C 1400

Interested in Our Si₃N₄ Ceramic Solutions?

Applications of silicon nitride ceramics

Applications

  • Wafer handling components, heater bases
  • Bearings, turbine components
  • Engine components, turbocharger rotors
  • Pump seals, precision bearings
  • High-temperature structural components

FAQS

How is the fracture toughness of silicon nitride ceramics?
Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) has very high fracture toughness, second only to zirconia among common engineering ceramics.This makes it significantly more resistant to cracking and mechanical shock compared to materials like alumina or silicon carbide.
What is the minimum hole size and thread you can machine in Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄)?
We can machine Silicon Nitride components with a minimum hole diameter of Ø0.3 mm and internal threads starting from M2.0. Due to the high hardness of the material, machining is challenging and requires precise process control to avoid chipping.
Do you support custom machining of silicon nitride ceramics?
Yes, we provide precision machining services for custom silicon nitride components based on your drawings and specifications.
Is silicon nitride suitable for high-speed or wear applications?
Yes, due to its low friction coefficient and high wear resistance, it is widely used in bearings and rotating components.

Macor is a machinable glass-ceramic made from fluorophlogopite mica crystals embedded in a borosilicate glass matrix. This composition gives it a rare
combination of metal-like machinability, excellent electrical insulation, low thermal conductivity, and stability up to 1000°C (no load) while maintaining very tight tolerances.