Technical ceramics

Harder than steel.

Ceramic components are more wear-resistant than steel and make, e.g., gearheads more precise and reliable. 

Ceramics are used when other materials fail.

Drive technology, industrial automation, or clock technology – high-performance industrial ceramics are particularly suitable for applications requiring wear resistance, sliding characteristics, biocompatibility, or chemical resistance.

maxon has extensive knowledge in the field of technical ceramics. With Ceramic Injection Molding (CIM) and other manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing and extrusion in combination with specific finishing processes, we produce highly complex ceramic molds – with unique precision and of the highest quality.

Our experts are your development partners from the moment of your first idea and are happy to support you along the entire development process. 

Extremely high wear resistance and hardness

Excellent sliding characteristics

High mechanical strength

Long service life

Outstanding insulation properties

High corrosion resistance and chemical stability

Biocompatible

Low specific weight

A unique material.

Ceramic precision spindles, axles, and shafts, complex customer-specific ceramic components for microtechnology, or scratch-resistant housing components. In our drives, we have tried and tested high-performance industrial ceramics for many years. Through a range of procedures for manufacturing high-quality ceramic products, we ensure top results.

Top performance in numerous fields of application. 

Due to the beneficial properties of industrial ceramics, maxon manufactures more than just gearhead components. Today, our ceramic components feature in a wide range of products across all industries. 

Drive technology

Spindles for extreme conditions.

maxon ceramic spindles are corrosion resistant, robust, wear resistant, and also offer high efficiency. For this reason, we use them in customer-specific projects, where other materials would fail. Our underwater drives are a good example, as their application requires saltwater-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials. 

Corrosion resistant

  • Operation almost completely without slip-stick effect
  • Smooth running
  • High degree of hardness
  • Extraordinarily long service life

Clock technology

Ceramic components for mechanical clockwork.

To ensure reliability, the small mechanical components of a clock mechanism must be processed with high accuracy. With ceramic components, a clock mechanism maintains its precision over life spans never achieved before.

Precise and long-lasting

  • Components for automatic watches
  • Highest precision
  • High wear resistance
  • Reliable series production
  • Non-magnetic

Measurement technology

Ceramic sensor housings for flow meters.

When used in sensor housings, the ceramic material demonstrates resistance to high temperatures, abrasive gas flow dust, and chemically aggressive condensate. The low thermal conduction of ceramic material protects the electronics inside the sensor.

Resistant to temperatures and dust

  • Robust in extreme environmental conditions
  • Passive behavior in electrical and magnetic fields
  • Maintenance and follow-up costs are avoided
  • Non-magnetic
Vinyl

Audio technology

Ceramic bearings and housings.

For the perfect listening experience, many components need to work in perfect harmony. In the field of bearings for high-end turntables, ceramic magnetic bearings fulfill the requirements to easily overcome challenges, such as magnetic fields and precision radial run-out. In housings for headphones, ceramic materials ensure a long service life, enhanced user comfort, and a positive impact on sound quality.

For enhanced sound quality and wearing comfort

  • Perfect surface finish
  • Scratch-resistant for a long service life
  • Low thermal conduction for more user comfort
  • Optimal acoustic properties
  • Non-magnetic

Industrial automation

Ceramic components for industrial machinery.

Machine and plant availability is extremely important in the industrial sector. The benefits of ceramics as a material for sockets/connectors, guides, axles, and shafts are impressive. A prime example of this are the maxon ceramic spindles with their ceramic glide surfaces (CGS).

For smooth running

  • Excellent sliding characteristics
  • Extreme strength
  • High wear resistance
  • High degree of hardness

Medical technology

Ceramic insulation components for endoscopes.

Materials used in medical devices, such as endoscopes, must fulfill highly demanding requirements. Only excellent, optically perfect, and reliable components make the grade. In addition, they must be biocompatible and resistant to bodily fluids.

Robust and biocompatible

  • Perfect surface finish
  • Biocompatibility
  • Low thermal conduction
  • Highly robust

New technology for faster and more cost-efficient prototypes.

The additive manufacturing of ceramic components considerably accelerates the first development loops of a prototype, while also resulting in significantly reduced costs. At maxon, ceramic components are 3D printed and perfected using lasers.  

Using Ceramic Injection Molding (CIM), components can be manufactured in series production in quantities of several tens of thousands.
 

Zirconium oxide ZrO2

High mechanical load capacity.

Zirconium oxide is a high-performance industrial ceramic material with high mechanical strength. The elastic modulus and heat expansion coefficient are similar to steel. The ceramic components are biocompatible and low in allergens.

General material properties

Bending strength

>800 N/mm2

Elastic modulus

2 x 105 N/mm2

Density

≥6.08 g/cm3

Hardness

1350 HV

Heat expansion coefficient

10 x 10-6 1/K

Thermal conductivity

2 W/mK

Electrical resistance

1010 Ωcm

Aluminum oxide Al2O3

High thermal load capacity.

Aluminum oxide ceramics are widely used in electrical engineering for insulation purposes. This material is resistant to operating temperatures of 1000°C to 1500°C (without mechanical strain).

General material properties

Bending strength

>350 N/mm2

Elastic modulus

3.5 x 105 N/mm2

Density

≥3.98 g/cm3

Hardness

2000 HV

Heat expansion coefficient

≥5 x 10-6 1/K

Thermal conductivity

25 W/mK

Electrical resistance

1015 Ωcm

Contact

Any more questions?

Our sales team will be happy to assist you.

Easy to configure. Large selection.

Quick availability, support during purchasing, and customized configuration for your application upon request. And there are many more reasons to use our online shop:  

  • Product programs

    Selection

    Find the right drive system by entering a few parameters. 

  • Selection

    6000

    Products with more than one million possible combinations. 

  • Information

    Downloads

    CAD and product data, manuals, and software can be downloaded via the shop. 

  • Delivery

    In 11 working days

    Due to fast prototyping and automated processes, configurable drives are manufactured and ready for delivery.

  • Global network

    Customer service

    The maxon sales support is available for all customer-specific queries. Worldwide.

  • Configuration

    Your ideal drive

    The online configurator guides you through all options step by step.