Processing of customized high-precision Ceramic pistons and plungers

Overview of Ceramic pistons and plungers

Ceramic pistons and plungers are mechanical parts made of ceramic materials. Ceramic pistons have the advantages of high hardness, good abrasion resistance, high temperature resistance, etc. They are commonly used in engines and other equipment, which can effectively reduce wear and improve service life. Ceramic piston is mostly used in hydraulic system, its strong corrosion resistance, can adapt to harsh working conditions, and high precision, the two are widely used in the field of machinery, promote the performance of related equipment.

Tapes of Ceramic pistons and plungers

Ceramic pistons and plungers are categorized in different ways. Ceramic pistons can be divided into alumina ceramic pistons, silicon carbide ceramic pistons and silicon nitride ceramic pistons according to the material. Alumina ceramic pistons have good insulation and wear resistance, and relatively low cost; silicon carbide ceramic pistons have high hardness, good thermal stability, and are suitable for high-temperature environments; silicon nitride ceramic pistons have high strength, good toughness, and excellent thermal shock resistance. From the shape can be divided into cylindrical piston, oval piston, etc., according to the use can be divided into engine piston, compressor piston, etc..

The ceramic plunger type is also more abundant. The material can be divided into zirconia ceramic plunger, silicon carbide ceramic plunger. Zirconia ceramic plunger has high toughness, low coefficient of friction, suitable for high-precision hydraulic systems; silicon carbide ceramic plunger wear resistance is excellent, suitable for high load conditions. So the application, they can be divided into hydraulic pump pistons and metering pump pistons.

Features of Ceramic pistons and plungers

Ceramic pistons and plungers have a number of significant features that make them popular in industrial applications.

Features of Ceramic Pistons:

Good wear resistance: ceramic materials have high hardness and a smooth surface, which can effectively reduce friction and wear, and the service life far exceeds that of traditional metal pistons, especially in the high-load, high-frequency reciprocating motion; the advantages are obvious.  

High-temperature resistance: ceramic materials are thermally stable, can maintain performance in high-temperature environments, are not easy to deform or damage, suitable for engines and other high-temperature equipment.

Strong corrosion resistance: ceramics are chemically stable, not easily corroded by acids and alkalis and other media, suitable for work in harsh chemical environments.

Lightweight: ceramic density is low, compared with metal; the piston can reduce the weight of equipment, improve operational efficiency, and reduce energy consumption.

Good insulation: ceramic is a good electrical insulator, suitable for occasions requiring electrical isolation.

Features of ceramic plunger:

High precision: ceramic materials are processed with high precision and low surface roughness, which can ensure the sealing and stability of the hydraulic system and reduce leakage.

Corrosion resistance: ceramic plungers perform well in acid and alkali and other chemical media, and are not prone to be corroded, extending service life.

High abrasion resistance: ceramic plunger has high hardness, can withstand high pressure and frequent reciprocating motion, reduce wear and tear, and maintain long-term stable operation.

Good thermal shock resistance: ceramic plunger is not easy to produce cracks when the temperature changes, suitable for high thermal load conditions.

Low friction coefficient: The smooth surface of the ceramic can reduce the friction with the cylinder.

Specifications table of Ceramic pistons and plungers

Parameter	Ceramic Piston	Ceramic Plunger
Material	– Alumina (Al₂O₃)<br>- Silicon Carbide (SiC)<br>- Zirconia (ZrO₂)	– Alumina (Al₂O₃)<br>- Silicon Carbide (SiC)<br>- Zirconia (ZrO₂)
Density (g/cm³)	– Alumina: 3.95-4.0<br>- SiC: 3.1-3.2<br>- Zirconia: 5.6-6.0	– Alumina: 3.95-4.0<br>- SiC: 3.1-3.2<br>- Zirconia: 5.6-6.0
Hardness (HV)	– Alumina: 1800-2200<br>- SiC: 2500-3000<br>- Zirconia: 1200-1500	– Alumina: 1800-2200<br>- SiC: 2500-3000<br>- Zirconia: 1200-1500
Flexural Strength (MPa)	– Alumina: 300-400<br>- SiC: 500-700<br>- Zirconia: 200-300	– Alumina: 300-400<br>- SiC: 500-700<br>- Zirconia: 200-300
Fracture Toughness (MPa·m½)	– Alumina: 3-5<br>- SiC: 4-6<br>- Zirconia: 8-10	– Alumina: 3-5<br>- SiC: 4-6<br>- Zirconia: 8-10
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K)	– Alumina: 20-30<br>- SiC: 120-150<br>- Zirconia: 2-3	– Alumina: 20-30<br>- SiC: 120-150<br>- Zirconia: 2-3
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (10⁻⁶/K)	– Alumina: 7-8<br>- SiC: 4.5-5.5<br>- Zirconia: 10-11	– Alumina: 7-8<br>- SiC: 4.5-5.5<br>- Zirconia: 10-11
Max Operating Temperature (°C)	– Alumina: 1500-1700<br>- SiC: 1800-2000<br>- Zirconia: 1200-1400	– Alumina: 1500-1700<br>- SiC: 1800-2000<br>- Zirconia: 1200-1400
Corrosion Resistance	– Excellent resistance to acids, bases, and salts<br>- SiC has superior resistance to molten metals	– Excellent resistance to acids, bases, and salts<br>- SiC has superior resistance to molten metals
Surface Finish	– Ra 0.1-0.4 µm (mirror finish)	– Ra 0.1-0.4 µm (mirror finish)
Typical Applications	– High-temperature engines<br>- Compressors<br>- Vacuum pumps	– Hydraulic pumps<br>- Metering pumps<br>- Chemical processing equipment
Customization Options	– Custom sizes and shapes<br>- Coatings for enhanced properties	– Custom sizes and shapes<br>- Coatings for enhanced properties

Applications of Ceramic pistons and plungers

Applications of Ceramic Pistons:

Ceramic pistons are mainly used where high temperatures, high pressures and high wear resistance are required. In aerospace, ceramic pistons are used in high-performance engines, where their high-temperature resistance and low-density properties reduce engine weight while improving combustion efficiency and reliability. In the automotive industry, ceramic pistons are used in high-performance racing engines to reduce energy loss and improve power output. In addition, in compressors, vacuum pumps and other equipment, ceramic pistons can extend the service life of the equipment and reduce maintenance costs by virtue of their wear resistance and corrosion resistance, for example, in some chemical compressors.

Ceramic Plunger Applications:

Ceramic plungers are widely used in hydraulic systems and metering equipment. In hydraulic pumps, ceramic plungers are able to withstand high pressure and frequent reciprocating motions, reducing wear and improving the efficiency and life of hydraulic pumps. In metering pumps, the high precision and low coefficient of friction of ceramic plungers can ensure precise delivery of liquids, which is suitable for chemical and pharmaceutical industries with strict requirements on liquid flow. For example, in the electronic chip manufacturing cleaning equipment, ceramic plungers can accurately control the flow of cleaning fluid while avoiding corrosion on the equipment.

The high performance of ceramic pistons and plungers makes them indispensable in the industrial field, they not only improve the operational efficiency of the equipment, but also reduces the maintenance costs, and promote the development of related industries.

Company Profile

RBOSCHCO is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12 years of experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials. The company exports to many countries, such as the USA, Canada, Europe, UAE, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Turkey, Mexico, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Dubai, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal etc. As a leading nanotechnology development manufacturer, RBOSCHCO dominates the market. Our professional work team provides perfect solutions to help improve the efficiency of various industries, create value, and easily cope with various challenges. If you are interested, please send an email to sales1@rboschco.com

Payment Term

T/T, Western Union, Paypal, Credit Card etc.

Shipment Term

By air, by sea, by express, as customers request.

5 FAQs of Ceramic pistons and plungers

Q1: What is the typical service life of a ceramic plunger?

Ceramic plungers are generally designed for a 3-year service life compared to metal plungers. But the actual service life may vary depending on specific operating conditions, frequency of use, maintenance, and other factors.

Q2: Why do ceramic plungers blow out?

 Possible reasons include loosening of the plunger rod compression nut, the plunger seal is pressed too tightly, water does not come in after the pump is turned on, or the cylinder does not absorb water, resulting in the plunger temperature exceeding 80°C and blowing up.

Q3: What is the temperature resistance of the ceramic piston?

 The temperature resistance of ceramic pistons is usually better than that of metal pistons, and they can generally withstand higher working temperatures. The upper limit of temperature resistance of ceramic pistons made of different materials varies, such as alumina ceramic pistons that can work at lower temperatures, and pistons made of high-performance ceramics that can maintain stable performance in higher temperature environments.

Q4: What is the application range of ceramic pistons?

Ceramic piston can be used for high temperature, high pressure, high corrosion, and other harsh conditions, such as aerospace, aviation engines. At the same time, in some chemical equipment, ceramic pistons can also resist the erosion of the chemical medium, to ensure the normal operation of the equipment.

Q5: What is the mechanical strength of ceramic pistons?

Compared with metal pistons, the mechanical strength of ceramic pistons is relatively low, but within a certain range can still meet the requirements of use. However, in some cases where the mechanical strength is very high, it may be necessary to use special ceramic materials or structures to improve their strength. However, in some occasions where the mechanical strength is required to be extremely high, it may be necessary to use special ceramic materials or structures to improve its strength.