FAQ

Essentially, ceramic powder is a finely ground ceramic material, with particle sizes typically controlled at the micron or even nanometer level to ensure uniformity and plasticity during subsequent processing. After high-temperature firing (usually in the range of 1200℃-1400℃), ceramic powder undergoes a series of physical and chemical changes, ultimately forming a hard, smooth, and non-porous solid. This unique transformation process endows ceramic powder products with excellent properties, making them irreplaceable in many fields.

1. Basics

To deeply understand the wide range of applications of ceramic powder, it is essential to first clearly understand what ceramic powder is and how it works. In its final product state, ceramic powder does not exist in its initial powder form, but rather as a key raw material, participating in a series of complex transformation processes to ultimately form solid products with specific functions and shapes. This transformation process involves multiple stages, including physical mixing, shaping, drying, and high-temperature sintering, and the process parameters at each stage have a crucial impact on the quality of the final product.

1.1 Core Components

From traditional techniques to modern technology, the manufacture of porcelain has always relied on the complex combination of three key minerals. These three components each play a specific role in the porcelain powder system, collectively determining the performance and quality of the porcelain.

Kaolin:As a high-purity clay mineral, its main chemical components are alumina and silicon dioxide, while also containing small amounts of impurities such as iron oxide and magnesium oxide (the impurity content of high-quality kaolin is typically less than 1%).

Feldspar: As a flux in porcelain powder, its main components include potassium feldspar, sodium feldspar, and calcium feldspar. Different types of feldspar have different melting points (typically between 1100℃ and 1300℃). During high-temperature firing, feldspar melts first, forming a transparent, glassy matrix.

Quartz (Silica):Its main component is silicon dioxide, possessing extremely high hardness (Mohs hardness of 7) and high-temperature resistance (melting point approximately 1713℃).

1.2 Firing Process

Porcelain powder is mixed with a liquid (usually distilled water or a special shaping liquid) to form a paste or slurry. This paste is then shaped, dried, and fired in a kiln. During firing, the feldspar melts and binds the particles together in a process called sintering, resulting in a dense, vitrified, glass-like final material

1.3 Material Properties

Porcelain that has undergone a complete sintering process possesses a series of excellent properties due to its unique composition and processing, making it highly regarded in many fields. Firstly, it has high strength; the compressive strength of porcelain can typically reach hundreds of megapascals, far exceeding that of ordinary ceramics and plastics, allowing it to withstand significant external forces without easily being damaged. Secondly, it has excellent wear resistance; the surface hardness of porcelain is high (Mohs hardness can reach 6-7), making it resistant to scratches in daily use or industrial applications, resulting in a long service life. Thirdly, it is chemically inert; porcelain has good corrosion resistance to acids, alkalis, salts, and other chemicals, and is not prone to chemical reactions in humid environments or chemical media, making it suitable for making tableware, laboratory utensils, and industrial corrosion-resistant components. Furthermore, porcelain possesses a unique translucency. This translucency stems from the refractive index difference between the glass matrix formed by the melting of feldspar and the crystals of quartz and kaolin. When light shines on it, partial refraction and scattering occur, giving porcelain a warm and soft luster. In dental restorations and high-end ceramic products, this translucency can mimic the appearance of natural materials, enhancing the aesthetic value of the products. Simultaneously, sintered porcelain is non-porous, with a porosity typically below 1%. This dense structure gives it strong resistance to stains; liquids or stains have difficulty penetrating the material, making daily cleaning very convenient. For example, dental crowns are less prone to food debris and bacteria adhesion, and high-end ceramic tableware is less susceptible to oil stains.

2. Main Applications

While porcelain, due to its excellent properties, also has specific niche applications in cosmetics and industrial fillers, its reputation is primarily built on its dominance in two distinct fields: dental medicine and high-end ceramic manufacturing. These fields share some commonalities in their requirements for porcelain powder performance, but also exhibit different needs.

2.1 Dental Restorations

The Gold Standard of Aesthetics In the field of dental medicine, with the increasing demand for oral health and aesthetics, porcelain powder has become a core material in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. It is widely used to manufacture dental restorations that are both strong and durable, and that closely match the appearance of natural teeth, such as crowns, bridges, veneers, and inlays/onlays. These restorations not only need to restore the normal function of teeth (such as chewing and speech), but also need to maintain consistency with the patient’s natural teeth in terms of color, shape, and luster to achieve a natural and aesthetically pleasing effect. The key reason why porcelain powder has become the preferred material for dental restorations lies in its unique translucency. Natural tooth enamel has a certain degree of translucency, exhibiting a natural luster when illuminated. Porcelain powder, after sintering, forms porcelain, whose translucency is closer to natural tooth enamel than other dental restorative materials such as resin and metal, effectively preventing the restorations from appearing stiff and unnatural. Furthermore, medical-grade porcelain powders are formulated with biocompatibility in mind. Their ingredients are rigorously screened and tested to ensure they will not cause allergic reactions or irritation to oral tissues after implantation, ensuring long-term harmonious coexistence with oral tissues such as the gums and alveolar bone.

2.2 High-End Ceramics and Pottery

This is the most traditional and classic application of porcelain powders. From ancient times to the present, artists and manufacturers have used porcelain powders to create a variety of high-end ceramics, decorative sculptures, and durable tableware. These products are not only practical for daily life but also bear cultural and artistic value. The powder formula used to create “hard porcelain” (also known as bone ash porcelain or high-white porcelain) often incorporates a certain proportion of bone powder (such as ox bone powder) or other special ingredients. After high-temperature firing, the final product is characterized by exceptional whiteness, excellent strength, and a unique resonant sound. For example, British bone china is renowned for its pure whiteness, delicate texture, lightness, and toughness, and crisp sound when struck, making it a symbol of high-end tableware and decorative items.

3. Understanding Trade-offs and Limitations

While porcelain enjoys widespread use in many fields due to its high strength, high abrasion resistance, excellent aesthetic properties, and biocompatibility, it is not without its inherent challenges and limitations. A thorough understanding of these trade-offs and limitations is crucial for the rational selection and use of porcelain powder in practical applications, ensuring product quality and effectiveness.

3.1 Brittleness Under Impact

Although porcelain is very hard and abrasion-resistant, it can be brittle. In dentistry, this means that porcelain crowns may shatter or break under sudden, sharp impacts or extreme biting forces, although modern formulations have greatly improved toughness.

3.2 High Skill Requirements

Using porcelain powder is a craft requiring specialized knowledge. Achieving the correct consistency, preventing air bubbles, accurately compensating for shrinkage, and managing complex firing schedules require significant training and experience, especially in dental applications.

3.3 Shrinkage During Firing

All porcelain materials shrink during firing, typically between 12% and 15%. This dimensional variation is a critical factor that must be precisely calculated and taken into account when initially shaping the object (whether it’s a dental crown or a ceramic container).

4. Summary

We specialize in providing high-purity materials and equipment to dental laboratories, ceramic studios, and research institutions. Our experts can help you select the perfect powder for your application, ensuring optimal results for your crowns, restorations, or technical ceramics.