Ceramic Materials

High-Performance Ceramics by Schunk

Light, exceptionally hard, and capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, corrosive media, and abrasive wear — Schunk’s technical ceramics empower engineers with new design possibilities. Whether for a prototype or large-scale series — our materials and solutions are tailored to your needs, ensuring dependable performance across the entire lifetime.

Diversity in Materials

What are Technical Ceramics

Technical ceramics, often referred to as high-performance ceramics or engineering ceramics, comprise a group of inorganic, non-metallic materials that have been specifically optimized for industrial applications. Unlike conventional ceramics, these materials are characterized by exceptional purity and special microstructures that make them indispensable for modern high technologies. They bridge the gap between abstract materials science and concrete industrial applications by performing where metals or plastics reach their physical limits. Their main characteristics are extreme hardness, enormous heat resistance, and excellent chemical resistance.

Go Directly to our Technical Ceramics Materials

Silicon Carbide

Silicon Carbide (SiC)

Ideal for components subject to high thermal and mechanical stress

Ultra-hard composite with excellent thermal shock resistance and near-zero wear—ideal for mechanical seals, turbines, and high-temperature components.

Boron Carbide

Boron Carbide (B₄C)

Extremely light, extremely hard – perfect for ballistic applications

One of the hardest known materials, combining low density and extreme abrasion resistance—perfect for ballistic protection, slurry nozzles, and wear linings.

Aluminum Oxide

Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃)

Reliable all-rounder for electrical and chemical challenges

Cost-efficient and electrically insulating up to ~1,700 °C, with excellent chemical stability—widely used for insulating components, bearings, and precision ceramics.

Zirconium Oxide

Zirconium Oxide (ZrO₂)

Highest strength with low thermal conductivity – ideal for high-temperature processes

Transformation-toughened with high flexural strength and low thermal conductivity—used in medical implants, precision valves, and wear parts.

Material Diversity

Why Choose Schunk Technical Ceramics?

For more than a century, Schunk has pioneered advanced ceramic solutions for the most demanding environments. From concept to series production, we deliver all stages—material development, application engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance—from a single source. Your benefits: shorter time to market, optimized total cost of ownership, and secure supply chain continuity.

Industries

Industries & Applications

Our high-performance ceramics are the key to advanced solutions in numerous industrial sectors.

Here you will find tailor-made concepts for your industry:

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Mechanical Engineering

High-performance ceramics for the limits of precision engineering.

Ensure reliable long-term use and maximum precision in your systems thanks to extreme wear resistance.

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Defense & Security

High-performance ceramic materials – safety in its strongest form.

Development of high-strength, ceramic protective armor made of boron carbide for maximum safety in extreme scenarios.

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Aerospace

Bionic ceramic solutions – lightweight, strong, and ready for space.

Benefit from high lightness and extreme heat resistance for components in satellite technology and space missions.

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Burner Technology

Efficiency meets sustainability – high-performance ceramics for low-emission process technology.

Optimize your thermal processes with heat-resistant burner components for significantly higher energy efficiency.

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Ceramic Industry

Lighter, more efficient, more resistant – SiC ceramics for maximum energy efficiency in firing technology.

Increase your production efficiency with robust components specially developed for high-temperature applications.

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Metrology

Maximum precision meets dimensional stability – RBSiC ceramics for the most demanding metrology applications.

Take advantage of the dimensional stability and chemical inertness of technical ceramics for high-precision measurement results in demanding environments.