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The world of technical ceramics presents itself in many shapes and flavors. Applications using technical ceramics abound, from cutting tools to bearings to kiln linings and biomedical implants. All of these examples take advantage of the various properties that different types of ceramic offer. A common misconception of technical ceramics is that their physical color is a basic opaque shade of white. This article explores a family of technical ceramics that is optically translucent to nearly transparent.

Polycrystalline technical ceramics generally consist of opaque matter that absorbs or scatters visible light. However, through highly controlled manufacturing, some technical ceramics can achieve a transparency similar to glass or single crystal sapphire. Technical ceramics are produced by sintering powdered materials that typically have light scattering characteristics. Using highly precise processes, the light scattering attributes can be removed. The resulting transparent technical ceramics have a polycrystalline structure with a transmittance rate that is strong in the visible light to middle infrared spectrum. Two materials that are commonly optimized for transparency/translucency are high purity alumina (including Sapphal™ translucent alumina and polycrystalline alumina) and spinel (MgAl₂O₄).

Transparent/translucent technical ceramics have been in use for industrial and commercial applications for over 50 years. Commercial production began in 1961 when General Electric began selling translucent alumina Lucalox® lamps. In the years since, CoorsTek of Golden, Colorado, has become a leader in the field of transparent/translucent technical ceramics. Coors (yes, the beer folks) started manufacturing pottery and labware in the early 20^th century. On a parallel track, Covalent Materials (previously Toshiba Technical Ceramics) began manufacturing and developing new ceramic materials and material processes in Japan. In 2014, the companies combined when CoorsTek acquired the Japan-based group. 2016 saw the addition of Philips Technical Ceramics, underscoring CoorsTek as a world leader in engineered technical ceramics and advanced materials.

Translucent and transparent technical ceramics have a higher thermal resistance than glass or resin and are stronger and harder. Their unique combination of wear resistance, high strength and corrosion resistance enable transparent technical ceramics to outperform traditional glass in high-stress environments that require exceptional clarity and stability. To read more, visit http://www.globalspec.com/CoorsTek/ref/CoorsTek_Engineering_Brief_Sept_2017.pdf.