Shapal Hi-M Soft
High thermal conductivityMachinability

Shapal Hi-M Soft

Shapal HI-M has better thermal conductivity than Aluminum nitride (AIN). Its excellent performance and microstructure are widely used in electronics, semiconductor and other industries. Its most distinctive feature is that it can be precisely processed using standard tools, greatly reducing processing time and cost.

Machining Capability

As a machinable aluminum nitride ceramic, Shapal Hi-M Soft™ can be machined using conventional metalworking tools, similar to Macor. This allows complex shapes and tight tolerances to be achieved without the need for diamond grinding.

Leveraging our years of manufacturing experience, we can tailor solutions to your prototype design and manufacturing needs, ensuring stability and reliability in specific application scenarios.

Aluminum-nitride-ceramics
Tolerance ±1um
Flatness 1um(Φ300)
Roughness Ra0.04μm
Micropores 0.1mm
Internal Thread M1.2
Max. Size 300*300*45mm

Advantages

  • Capable of being precisely machined into complex shapes.
  • High thermal conductivity (90-100 W/m·K).
  • Excellent electrical insulation with low dielectric loss.
  • Bending strength comparable to alumina.
  • High temperature resistance and thermal shock resistance.
  • Chemical resistance.

Properties

Shapal Hi‑M Soft, developed by Tokuyama Corporation, is a machinable aluminum nitride ceramic with excellent thermal conductivity and electrical insulation. The key material properties are shown in the table below.

Material Properties Unit Shapal
Density g/cm³ 2.9
Vickers hardness HV 250
Bending strength MPa 350
Compressive strength MPa 2500
Toughness MPa·m¹⁄² 2.4
Elastic modulus GPa 290
Poisson’s ratio 0.31
Young’s modulus GPa 176
Thermal Properties Unit Shapal
Thermal Conductivity @ -100°C W/(m·K) 100
Thermal Conductivity @ 25°C W/(m·K) 92
Thermal Conductivity @ 500°C W/(m·K) 55
Thermal Conductivity @ 1000°C W/(m·K) 35
Thermal Shock Resistance ΔT °C 400
CTE¹ 25 °C — 400 °C 10⁻⁶/K 4.8
CTE¹ 25 °C — 600 °C 10⁻⁶/K 4.9
Maximum Temperature (Inert)² °C 1900
Electrical Properties Unit Shapal
Dielectric constant 1 MHz 8.6
Breakdown strength kV/mm 14
Dielectric loss 1 MHz 0.001
Volume resistivity @ 25 °C Ω·cm 10 × 10¹⁵
Volume resistivity @ 500 °C Ω·cm 3.2 × 10¹³
Volume resistivity @ 1000 °C Ω·cm 4.6 × 10⁵

Interested in Our Shapal Ceramic Solutions?

Shapal-Hi-M-Soft-Application

Applications

  • Ion trap ceramic support
  • Precision insulation substrates, thermal isolation for vacuum.
  • Plasma etching, ion beam, X-ray/electron beam components.
  • High-temp sensors, precision machinery parts.
  • Insulation for high-frequency and vacuum systems.
  • Components for semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Structural supports in high-temperature environments.

Learn how to use five-axis machining to create complex shapes

FAQS

Who manufactures Shapal Hi-M Soft?

Tokuyama Corporation is the original manufacturer of Shapal Hi-M Soft. It is an aluminum nitride-based machinable ceramic known for combining high thermal conductivity with excellent machinability.

How does Shapal Hi-M Soft compare to Macor for prototyping?

Shapal Hi-M Soft is better suited for prototypes requiring high thermal conductivity and efficient heat dissipation, making it ideal for semiconductor, laser, and high-power applications.Macor is more versatile for general prototyping, especially when electrical insulation, tight tolerances, and superior surface finish are required.Macor is typically more cost-effective than Shapal Hi-M Soft, both in raw material price and overall machining cost. Shapal, being aluminum nitride-based, is significantly more expensive but delivers superior thermal performance.

How does the thermal conductivity of Shapal Hi-M Soft compare to aluminum nitride (AlN)?

Shapal Hi-M Soft offers a thermal conductivity of approximately 92 W/m·K, whereas high-purity aluminum nitride typically ranges from 170–230 W/m·K, providing more efficient heat transfer. However, the key advantage of Shapal lies in its significantly improved machinability, effectively overcoming the processing challenges associated with aluminum nitride. It achieves a well-balanced compromise between thermal performance and ease of machining.

Can you provide custom machining for Shapal Hi-M Soft?

Yes. Jundro offers precision machining services for Shapal Hi-M Soft components, including complex geometries and tight tolerances. 

Why choose Jundro for machinable ceramic prototyping?

Jundro is a precision ceramics machining manufacturer specializing in fast delivery, high-precision custom parts. We provide our R&D team and engineers with the following support: rapid prototyping, short lead times, extensive expertise in machinable ceramics and hard, brittle materials, and ISO-certified processes to ensure consistently superior quality.

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.