Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) is a man made compound synthesized through several different chemical reaction methods. Parts made of Si3N4 are pressed and sintered by well developed methods to produce a ceramic with a unique set of outstanding properties. Silicon Nitride Ceramic is dark gray to black in color and can be polished to a very smooth reflective surface, giving parts with a striking appearance. The very high quality bodies developed for these demanding high reliability applications are available today and can be used in many severe mechanical, thermal and wear applications.What's more, Silicon Nitride Si3N4 is an electrical insulator and is not wet by nonferrous alloys. Silicon nitride is a rather expensive material, but its performance to cost benefit ratio is excellent in the applications where it can outperform the normally utilized materials with long life and very reliable low maintenance operation.Zirconium oxide (Zirconia) is an extremely tough ceramic with a hardness of >9 Mohs which makes it and excellent material for extreme wear, high temperature and harsh environment applications. Zirconia ceramics have remarkable properties of strength, hardness and wear resistance in addition to withstanding attack from molten metal, organic solvents, acids and alkalis. They can also withstand high temperatures for long periods even under severe mechanical stress. Typical Applications include: volatile chemical solutions transportation, jet and diesel engine components, containers for molten metals, high speed cutting tools, high wear components, transistor insulators, dental implants, bearing balls, pump seals, and ball valves. Contact us for more info!