Product Description
In industries where materials are constantly subjected to extreme conditions, the need for components that can withstand rapid temperature changes is paramount. Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) balls, renowned for their thermal shock resistance, are increasingly becoming the material of choice across various sectors.
Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) is a high-performance ceramic material known for its exceptional thermal shock resistance, high fracture toughness, and lightweight nature. It is 60% lighter than steel, yet strong enough to endure demanding applications in aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries. The unique properties of Si3N4 make it an ideal alternative to traditional materials like stainless steel and tungsten carbide.
- Thermal Shock Resistance: Si3N4 balls can withstand severe thermal shock and thermal gradients, making them suitable for applications like rocket engines and heavy-duty diesel engines.
- High Fracture Toughness: The interlocking needle-shaped grains formed during sintering provide outstanding contact fatigue resistance and mechanical reliability.
- Lightweight and Strong: Despite being lighter than steel, Si3N4 balls offer high strength and durability.
- Chemical Resistance: These balls are highly resistant to corrosion and chemicals, making them ideal for use in harsh environments.
The versatility of Si3N4 balls is evident in their wide range of applications. Here are some areas where they excel:
- Aerospace and Defense: Used in aircraft and military applications, Si3N4 balls offer high heat resistance and low friction, essential for high-speed and high-impact environments.
- Automotive Industry: Si3N4 balls are used in hybrid bearings and electric motor shaft bearings, providing long service life and minimal lubrication needs.
- Oil & Gas Sector: Their compatibility with nonferrous metal melts makes them suitable for oil wells and other challenging environments.
- Electronics: Silicon nitride substrates, despite lower thermal conductivity compared to aluminum nitride, provide superior mechanical properties for electronic applications.
The thermal shock resistance of Si3N4 balls is attributed to their low thermal expansion coefficient and high elasticity. Research published in the Journal of the European Ceramic Society highlights the role of rare-earth oxide additives in enhancing these properties. The addition of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles further improves the thermal shock resistance, although it may introduce residual stresses that affect performance under certain conditions.
Studies have shown that incorporating rare-earth oxides like La2O3 and Lu2O3 can significantly increase the critical temperature difference Si3N4 can withstand. This enhancement is crucial for applications involving rapid temperature changes, such as energy conversion systems and cutting tools.
When compared to steel, Si3N4 balls offer numerous advantages:
- Higher Working Temperature: Si3N4 can operate at temperatures up to 1200°C in inert gas environments, whereas steel is limited to 180°C.
- Lower Density: With a density of 3.21 g/cm³, Si3N4 is much lighter than steel (7.8 g/cm³), reducing overall weight and improving efficiency.
- Superior Hardness: The Vickers hardness of Si3N4 is 1500 HV, compared to steel's 750 HV, providing better wear resistance.
- Non-Magnetic: Si3N4 is non-magnetic, making it suitable for applications where magnetism must be avoided.
| Property | Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) | Steel (440C) | Zirconia (ZrO2) | Alumina (Al2O3) |
| Density (g/cm³) | 3.2 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 3.9 |
| Hardness (HV) | 1,400–1,600 | 700–900 | 1,200–1,300 | 1,500–1,800 |
| Fracture Toughness (MPa·m½) | 6–7 | 15–20 | 7–10 | 3–4 |
| Compressive Strength (GPa) | 2.5–3.5 | 2.0–2.5 | 2.0–2.3 | 2.0–3.0 |
●Description:
Silicon Nitride Ceramic Ball is the most ideal bearing ball for bearing applications, due to the excellent properties of silicon nitride ceramics, it has many irreplaceable advantages comparing to traditional steel materials, such as: high mechanical strength, low wear loss, good self-lubrication, low density, high corrosion resistance, good electrical insulation etc.
Therefore, Silicon Nitride Balls are mostly used for some harsh working conditions: high speed/super speed bearings, high precision bearings, bearings in vacuum, high/low temperature bearings.
Moreover, Silicon Nitride Ceramic Balls can also used as valve ball or measurement balls in chemical pumps/high temperature pumps/metdering pumps.
●Physical Properties:
| Chemical Composition: | Si3N4≥95% |
| Bulk Density: | 3.2±0.05g/cm3 |
| Elastic Modulus: | 350GPa |
| Hardness Vickers: | 1870HV |
| Bending Strength: | 780MPa |
| Fracture Toughness: | 7.2MPa·m1/2 |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient: | 3.2 10-6/K |
| Thermal Conductivity: | 25W/(m·K) |
● Ball Sizes/Grade :
| Size (mm) | Φ0.8-180 |
| Grade | Vdws | SPH | Vdwl | Ra |
| G3 | 0.05-0.08 | ≤0.08 | <0.13 | 0.01 |
| G5 | 0.08-0.13 | ≤0.13 | <0.25 | 0.014 |
| G10 | 0.15-0.25 | ≤0.25 | <0.5 | 0.02 |
| G16 | 0.2-0.4 | ≤0.4 | <0.8 | <0.025 |
| G20 | 0.3-0.5 | ≤0.5 | <1 | <0.032 |
| G100 | 0.4-0.7 | 0.4-0.7 | <1.4 | <0.0105 |
Factory equipment
Exhibition & Partner
Case
Ship to South Korea
Ship to Spain
FAQ
1. What sizes and tolerances are available?
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Diameter range: 0.5mm to 50mm (custom sizes possible).
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Sphericity: As low as 0.1µm (Grade 5 for ultra-precision bearings).
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Surface finish: Ra < 0.02µm (mirror polish for low friction).
2. Are silicon nitride balls FDA-approved for medical use?
Yes! Si3N4 is biocompatible (ISO 6474-1) and used in spinal implants, dental devices, and joint replacements due to its antibacterial properties.
3. How do I choose the right Si3N4 balls for my application?
Consider:
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Load & speed requirements (dynamic/static stress).
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Temperature range (Si3N4 excels in high heat).
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Chemical exposure (resistant to most acids/alkalis).
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Electrical insulation needs (non-conductive).
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