Technical ceramic

0.8-45 usd/kg
Circularity potential
Ultra low
Strength
High
Production energy
Very high
Stiffness
Very high
Embodied CO2
High
Density
High

Technical ceramics, also called advanced ceramics, are a group of very hard, inert, and dimensionally stable oxides, carbides and nitrides. They are formed from powder, solid or gas, into engineering components and coatings used in some of the most demanding and extreme applications.

The chemical composition of these materials is carefully controlled and adjusted to suit the requirements of an application. 3D shapes are formed by pressing a powder into shape, CNC machining and sintering (fusing with heat). A range of processes exist for this, including those suitable for high volumes, such as die pressing (compacting into a mould) and ceramic injection moulding (a binder is added to the powder to help it flow into the mould under pressure). Isostatic pressing is used for smaller volumes. Powder is placed into a flexible mould (membrane) and pressure is applied by liquid or gas. With cold isostatic pressing (CIP), a second sintering step is required. In the case of hot isostatic pressing (HIP), the powder is sintered as it is formed, resulting in superior mechanical properties and surface finish.

With these processes it is possible to make parts with extremely precise dimensions and very thin wall sections. Applications span aerospace, architecture, military, industrial, automotive, electrical and medical applications.

As well as bulk 3D parts, technical ceramics are applied as coatings onto metal, glass and plastic by vacuum deposition. This technique is used by many industries – tooling, solar panels, medical, lighting, consumer products, jewellery and so on – to create thin film ceramic coatings for enhanced protection, performance and colour.


Sustainability concerns
Non-renewable ingredients
Raw material generates polluting by-products
Low circularity potential


Dekton was created by Consentino. It is a hard, inert and dimensionally stable mineral composite used in kitchen counters, worktops, facades, floors and bathrooms.

It is a unique material made by compressing fine particles of mineral – up to 20 different types, such as silica (quartz) – at very high pressure (25,000 tons) and temperature (1,200 degC). The extreme conditions cause the particles to sinter (fuse) to form a hard and non-porous stone-like material with very high durability. It is a so-called sintered stone, a development on engineered quartz artificial stone. The difference being that engineered quartz is not compressed at such high pressures and temperatures, but instead relies on a small amount of adhesive to hold the particles together.

Dekton is available in thickness of 8, 12, 20 and 30 mm (and 4 mm Dekton slim), and sheet sizes up to 3.2 x 1.4 m.


Design properties
Cost usd/kg
10-25
Embodied energy MJ/kg
16.9
Carbon footprint kgCO2e/kg
0.86
Density kg/m3
2130-2453
Flexural strength MPa
60-67
Modulus of rupture MPa
51-58
Compressive strength MPa
240-380
Hardness Mohs
6.5-7.5
Thermal expansion (µm/m)/ºC
5.1-6.5
Temperature min-max °C
-250 to 500
Thermal
insulator
Electrical
insulator