Designing With Ceramics

Maximize Value with "As Fired" Components

Choosing designs that are complete in the “as fired” state is the most cost-effective option. Why? Because most of the cost in ceramic manufacturing comes from diamond grinding after firing. If your component can be made to net or near-net shape while in the “green state” (compressed powder before firing), you’ll save significantly — and still achieve outstanding performance.

Understanding Tolerances

• Standard “as fired” tolerance: ±1% or ±0.005″ (whichever is greater)
• Controlled shrinkage: ~20% during firing
• As fired camber allowance: 0.006″ per inch
• Maximum corner radius or chamfer: 0.025″. Sharp edges tend to chip.
• Diamond grinding precision: up to ±0.0005″

Need tighter specs? We’re experts at precision grinding for high-demand applications.

Further information is available under Manufacturing Processes

Defining Your Requirements

Consider your component’s working environment. What properties are relevant to the operating environment?

• Dielectric strength
• Electrical insulation
• High-temperature resistance
• Exposure to corrosive chemicals or gases
• Thermal shock conditions
• High wear and abrasion environments
• Liquid and gas impermeability (e.g., vacuum applications)
• Thermal expansion matching requirements

Ceramics are ideally suited for all these challenging environments where other materials fail.

You can explore our property charts available, or contact one of our experienced ceramic application engineers.