Al₂O₃
Alumina Ceramics
High-purity alumina for insulation, high-temperature containment and structural duty where strength and electrical isolation have to hold at the same time.
Material detailsFORM 10
Ceramic Balls
Spheres for valve, bearing and milling duty, where diameter and roundness both have to be held.
Advanced Industrial Ceramics
A ball is judged on two numbers that a drawing states separately: the diameter, and how far the surface departs from a true sphere. A ball that is the right diameter but not round will not seat; one that is round but undersized will pass straight through.
Surface finish follows from the duty. A ball that rolls or seals against something is ground and polished; a ball that only occupies space can be supplied as-fired at a lower cost.
Specification and control points
| Material system | Alumina · Zirconia · Silicon nitride |
|---|---|
| Diameter | Ground to your drawing |
| Roundness | Stated as its own requirement, not implied by the diameter tolerance |
| Surface | As-fired · Precision ground · Polished |
| Form | Solid, or drilled through where the assembly needs a bore |
| Inspection | Diameter and roundness measured per batch |
FORM 10Zirconia ceramic balls — supplied part photograph
Part photographs
Ceramic Balls parts photographed
Supplied photographs for this catalogue entry. Captions describe the geometry in each frame — ask us for drawings and grades with your enquiry.
Ground alumina balls
Zirconia balls
Typical applications
Applications this form is specified for
The industries below are the applications this material system is most often specified for. Tell us your own duty and we will confirm whether it is the right grade.
Valve and seat elementsMilling and dispersion mediaBearing and roller elementsFlow control and check componentsLocating and sealing elements
Made to your requirement
What is defined with you before production
- Diameter and its tolerance
- Roundness, stated as its own value
- Surface finish, and whether the ball rolls or seats
- The medium, load or speed the ball sees
Supply stage
Sample part first, then batch production on the same material and process basis. Ask for the material data sheet with your quotation.
Related pages
Forms and materials to compare
ZrO₂
Zirconia Ceramics
Zirconia for wear duty: high strength and toughness with a fine ground surface that holds up under abrasion and repeated mechanical contact.
Material detailsSi₃N₄
Silicon Nitride Ceramics
Silicon nitride for strength at temperature: high strength, thermal shock resistance and low weight in parts that move or cycle.
Material details