Easy processing macor grade machinable glass ceramic plate for industry insulation

                                                                                            Product Details                                                                                            

1. Overview of Diatomite

1.1 Definition and Formation

Macor grade machinable glass ceramics​ are a type of microcrystalline glass​ composed mainly of synthetic mica. They belong to a class of ceramic materials that can be machined using conventional metalworking tools. This material is synthesized through controlled crystallization​ of specialty glass, forming a uniform interlocking microstructure of mica crystals within a glassy matrix. Unlike traditional ceramics that require diamond grinding or sintering after firing, Macor ceramics can be directly turned, milled, drilled, and tapped​ using standard carbide or HSS tools, offering unprecedented ease of fabrication​ for complex geometries.

1.2 Classification and Grade Standards.

Macor grade materials are typically classified by their composition and processing route. Standard grades include general-purpose machinable glass ceramics​ optimized for electrical insulation and vacuum applications, as well as high-purity grades​ for semiconductor and medical use. While there is no universal grading system like food-grade diatomite, manufacturers often specify properties such as maximum service temperature (up to 800°C), dielectric strength, and outgassing rates​ to meet industry standards (e.g., ASTM, MIL). The material is supplied in pre-fired blocks or rods, ready for direct machining without additional firing steps.

2.  Core Characteristics of Macor Grade Machinable Glass Ceramics

2.1 Physical Structure Characteristics

The physical structure of Macor ceramics is defined by a dense, homogeneous microcrystalline network​ of synthetic fluorophlogopite mica flakes embedded in a borosilicate glass matrix. This unique architecture provides isotropic mechanical properties​ and enables chip-forming machining similar to metals. Key physical attributes include:

Density: approximately 2.52 g/cm³, lighter than alumina ceramic

Porosity: near-zero (<0.1%), ensuring hermeticity and low moisture absorption.

Flexural strength: ~100 MPa​ (moderate but sufficient for precision components).

Hardness: ~250 Knoop​ (softer than alumina, allowing tool-based machining).The material exhibits excellent dimensional stability​ and can hold tight tolerances (±0.013 mm)​ after machining.

2.2 Chemical Properties

Chemically, Macor ceramics are highly inert​ due to their stable silicate/mica composition. They resist attack from most acids, bases, organic solvents, and molten metals, except for hydrofluoric acid and strong alkaline solutions at elevated temperatures. The material has extremely low outgassing rates​ (total mass loss <0.01% per ASTM E595), making it suitable for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environments. It is non-toxic​ and does not release harmful fumes during machining, ensuring operator safety.

2.3  Thermal Performance

Macor ceramics exhibit outstanding thermal stability​ with a continuous service temperature range of -200°C to 800°C​ (short-term up to 1000°C). Their coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is 9.3×10⁻⁶ /°C​ (matching many metals like stainless steel), minimizing thermal stress in assemblies. Thermal conductivity is low (~1.46 W/m·K), providing good thermal insulation. The material also resists thermal shock​ due to its moderate CTE and high thermal diffusivity, enabling rapid temperature cycling without cracking.

3. Advantages of Macor Grade Machinable Glass Ceramics

3.1  Processing and Manufacturing Advantages – Overturning Traditional Ceramic Fabrication

Machinable ceramics can be processed using ordinary carbon steel or hard alloy cutting tools​ on conventional lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, and machining centers for turning, milling, drilling, and tapping. This eliminates the need for expensive diamond tooling and specialized grinding equipment, dramatically lowering the barrier to entry. Since mechanical processing can be performed directly on standard stock without fabricating costly custom molds, production lead times are significantly shortened—from weeks or months down to days. Complex prototypes and low-volume production become economically viable.

3.2 Outstanding High-Temperature Resistance and Thermal Shock Resistance

Macor ceramics withstand extreme temperatures from -200°C to 800°C​ (and even higher for short durations), with a low and matched thermal expansion coefficient​ that ensures good thermal stability. Components maintain their shape and integrity under rapid heating and cooling cycles, making them ideal for furnace fixtures, heat shields, and high-temperature jigs in aerospace and industrial applications.

3.3  Excellent Electrical Insulation Properties

Even in high-temperature and high-frequency environments, Macor ceramics maintain stable high insulation resistance (>10¹⁴ Ω·cm at room temperature)​ and low dielectric loss (tan δ <0.001 at 1 MHz). They exhibit high dielectric strength (>40 kV/mm), making them perfect for manufacturing high-performance electrical vacuum devices, high-voltage insulators, and circuit supports​ where reliability is critical.

3.4  Excellent Electrical Insulation Properties

Macor ceramics resist corrosion from most acids, bases, organic solvents, and molten metals. Their intrinsic gas emission rate is extremely low, and they do not contaminatevacuum environments. This makes them highly suitable as internal components in high-vacuum systems​ (e.g., mass spectrometers, particle accelerators, semiconductor deposition chambers) where material purity and outgassing control are paramount.

3.5  Reduction of Overall Lifecycle Costs

Although the raw material cost of Macor ceramics may be higher than some conventional ceramics, when factoring in the extremely low subsequent machining costs, drastically reduced development cycles, and high yield rates, the total lifecycle cost becomes highly competitive​ for complex parts. No post-sintering or diamond finishing is required, saving both time and capital expenditure on specialized equipment. 

3.6 Versatile Applications Across High-Tech Fields

Macor ceramics enable the production of high-precision non-magnetic structural frames, sensor components, and insulation parts​ for aerospace. In semiconductor and flat-panel display manufacturing, they are used for wafer handling components, inspection fixtures, and micro-processing insulating parts. For electro-vacuum devices​ such as electron beam lithography systems and mass spectrometers, their low outgassing and excellent electrical insulation make them an optimal choice. They also serve as ultra-high-voltage insulation components​ in motors and generators, and can be machined into thin-walled, complex-shaped precision instrument parts​ that would be impossible with traditional ceramics.  

4.Technical specifications

指标 Property Content	标准值 Property Index	说明 Instruction
密度 Density	2.6g/cm3
显气孔率 Apparent Porosity	0.069%
吸水率 Water Absorption	0
硬度 Hardness	4~5	莫氏 Mohs
颜色 Color	洁白 White
热膨胀系数 Coefficient of Thermal Expansion	72×10-7/°C	-50°C 至200°C 平均值 -50°C to 200°C average
热导率 Thermal Conductivity	1.71W/m.k	25°C
长期使用温度 Long Working Temperature	800°C
弯曲强度 Flexural Strength	>108MPa
压缩强度 Compression Strength	>508 MPa
冲击韧性 Impact Toughness	>2.56KJ/ m2
弹性模量 Modulus of Elasticity	65GPa
介质损耗 Dielectric Loss	1~ 4×10-3	室温 Room Temperature
介电常数 Dielectric Constant	6~7	"
击穿强度 Puncture Strength	>40KV/mm	样品厚度1mm Sample Thickness 1mm
体积电阻 Volume Resistance	1.08×1016Ω.cm	25°C
	1.5×1012Ω.cm	200°C
	1.1×109Ω.cm	500°C
常温出气率 Normal Temperature Gas Efficiency	8.8×10-9 ml/s. cm2	真空老炼8小时 Vacuum Burn-in 8 hours
氦透过速率 Helium Through Rate	1×10-10ml/s	经500°C 灼烧后,冷却室温 500°C firing, cooling
5%HC1	0.26mg/ cm2	95°C,24小时 95°C,24hours
5%HF	83mg/ cm2	"
50%Na2CO3	0.012 mg/ cm2	"
5%NaOH	0.85mg/ cm2	"

                                                                                          Development History                                                                                    

                                                                                        Patents and certification                                                                                  

We’ve obtained various global certifications including CE, EMC, LVD, RoHS, FDA, MSDS, ISO 9001, SGS and TUV. We also own eight registered trademarks and forty technical patents to support independent R&D.

Our proprietary core technologies run through all product lines: porous ceramics, industrial ceramic components, special glass, metallized ceramics, liquid absorption cotton, ozone generators and silicone goods. All products are manufactured in strict accordance with international quality standards, delivering reliable and high-performance solutions that have gained wide recognition and market trust worldwide. 

                                                                                               Package                                                                                                    

We adopt scientific and standardized packaging solutions tailored to product characteristics to effectively prevent collision, extrusion, dust and moisture damage. With mature global transportation system and strict shipment inspection procedures, we ensure all products remain intact and stable during long-distance delivery, providing customers with safe, efficient and reliable one-stop logistics service.

                                                                                           Services                                                                        

Inquiry & Customization

We provide fast and accurate quotation response for all your inquiries. Flexible OEM & ODM customization solutions are available to meet your unique product design, packaging and branding requirements.

Order Quality Control

We keep clients updated with full production progress throughout the whole order cycle. Our QC team carries out strict comprehensive pre-shipment inspection to guarantee all goods comply with your quality standards before delivery.

Customs Document Support

We prepare a full set of standard export documents including commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and other certification papers, to ensure smooth global customs clearance for shipments to all destinations worldwide.

One-Stop Logistics

Multiple shipping methods including sea freight, air freight and express delivery are offered to match your schedule and budget. We supply real-time cargo tracking service so you can monitor shipment status anytime.

Flexible Payment

We support a wide range of secure international payment terms such as T/T, L/C, Western Union and other mainstream cross-border settlement methods to reduce your cross-border transaction risks.

After-Sales Support

Our professional after-sales team offers timely technical and business support all year round. We maintain steady long-term stable supply capacity to fully back up your continuous market sales and project demands.

                                                                                               FAQ                                                                                                           

01

Question: Can you produce based on customers’ drawings or physical samples?

Answer: Absolutely yes. We accept technical drawings in all mainstream file formats as well as actual physical samples. Before formal production, our engineering team will provide a full professional DFM feasibility evaluation for your reference.

02 

Question: How long is the production lead time for custom orders?

Answer: Sample lead time: 3–7 working days. Custom mold lead time: 5–10 working days (we will confirm the cycle separately with you for complex molds). Mass production lead time: 7–20 working days, depending on product structure complexity and order quantity.

03 

Question: What’s your minimum order quantity for custom products?

Answer: We provide flexible MOQ solutions for all customized items. We will try our best to set a low minimum order volume to support your small-batch trial orders, meanwhile we can handle stable mass production to satisfy your long-term bulk demands.

04 

Question: What customization services can you provide?

Answer: We support comprehensive one-stop customization, including product size, shape, appearance, precision tolerance, surface treatment, hole grooving, bending, cutting and adjustable high-temperature resistant parameters. Custom engraved LOGO and exclusive customized packaging are also available as extra personalized options upon request.

05 

Question: Do you accept third-party inspection of finished products?

Answer: Yes, we fully cooperate with all mainstream authorized third-party testing institutions. Well-known organizations such as SGS, BV and other internationally recognized inspection bodies are all acceptable. We can supply complete official inspection reports and material certification documents as you require.

06 

Question: Can you customize raw material options for products?

Answer: Sure. We can select and match appropriate raw materials according to your application scenarios, working conditions and performance requirements, including alumina, zirconia, quartz, silicone and other special engineering materials, and adjust related performance parameters to meet your usage standards.