Selecting the right high performance ceramic material can seem daunting, especially if you don’t have a background in chemistry or advanced materials knowledge. With a wide range of specialist products available, it’s not always obvious which grade is best suited to your application.
To help simplify the selection process, we’ve outlined the key questions to consider when choosing the right ceramic cement or coating for your requirements.
1. How Thick is Your Application?
This is always the first question we ask, as it quickly determines whether you need an air-setting or chemical-setting product.
If you’re looking for a material that acts as a thin protective coating or adhesive, our air-setting range is likely to be the best option. These products are ideal for industrial assembly processes, offering a longer working time before curing at room temperature within 18–24 hours.
If your application involves sealing a thicker section, filling cavities, or potting components such as thermocouples, our chemical-setting cements provide the ideal starting point. These products cure much faster, typically within 60–90 minutes, making them well suited to production environments where shorter curing times are required.
2. How Much Thermal Expansion Does Your Application Need to Tolerate?
Different material substrates expand and contract at different rates as temperatures change. Matching the ceramic material’s coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) to your substrate is essential for long-term performance.
Our products offer an excellent range of thermal expansion characteristics, allowing us to recommend a grade that closely matches the expansion and contraction properties of your substrate. This helps minimise stress within the bond and improves durability throughout the product’s service life.
3. What Temperatures Will the Product Need to Withstand?
Operating temperature is another critical consideration.
Both our air-setting and chemical-setting ranges include products capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 1,649°C. For applications at the opposite end of the temperature scale, our Chemical Set Grade 29 has been specifically developed to perform reliably in cryogenic environments, typically below -150°C.
4. What Level of Electrical Conductivity is Required?
Some applications require high electrically conductivity (dielectric strength).
Across the range of products, we can identify the product that suits your application. The most suitable product will depend on your required dielectric strength, as well as the curing temperature and time that best fit your manufacturing process.
Expert Advice from Glassbond
For 30 years, Glassbond has manufactured high-performance ceramic materials under licence from Sauereisen, supplying reliable solutions for demanding industrial applications.
Our experienced technical team is on hand to help you identify the most suitable product for your application and production process. If an off-the-shelf solution doesn’t meet your exact requirements, we can develop a bespoke formulation in our on-site laboratory. We also provide sample preparation, application trials, and on-site technical support to ensure you achieve the best possible performance.
