China Hunan Yibeinuo New Material Co., Ltd. Company News

Alumina ceramics are a type of commonly used wear-resistant ceramic material, with high-purity alumina (AL₂O₃) as the main component. This material has outstanding properties such as excellent hardness, strong corrosion resistance, high mechanical strength, and high temperature resistance, so it is often used in industrial environments with strict requirements on wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and pressure resistance.   After alumina ceramics are installed on the surface of pipelines, chutes, hoppers and various equipment, their service life can be significantly extended. Alumina ceramics are also frequently used in the field of electronic products due to their excellent insulation properties. Manufacturing Process of Alumina Ceramics Raw Material Preparation High-purity Al₂O₃ Powder: Extracted from bauxite via the Bayer process or calcination. Additive Mixing: Sintering aids (e.g., MgO, SiO₂) added to optimize sintering.  Powder Processing: Ball milling & spray drying to achieve uniform particle size (0.1-1μm).   Forming Techniques Dry Pressing: Simple shapes (plates/rods) under 50-200 MPa pressure. Injection Molding: Complex parts via powder-binder mixture injection. Isostatic Pressing: Uniform density for large/high-performance components.   Sintering Temperature: 1500°C-1800°C (higher for purer Al₂O₃). Atmosphere: Air or inert gas (e.g., nitrogen). Densification: Porosity reduced to

In the engineering pipeline industry, the ceramic composite pipe is particularly outstanding due to its excellent performance. It is manufactured using advanced self-propagating high-temperature synthesis technology and has become a new generation of wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant engineering pipeline materials that have attracted much attention.   The unique structure of the ceramic composite pipe is the basis of its excellent performance. It consists of three layers, namely the ceramic layer, the transition layer, and the metal base layer. Among them, the formation of the ceramic layer is particularly special. Molten alumina is formed at a high temperature of more than 2500 degrees. Through the action of centrifugal force, it is evenly spread on the inner wall of the metal pipe and quickly solidifies. This process gives the ceramic layer a dense structure, its surface is extremely smooth, and it is tightly combined with the metal pipe. The ceramic composite pipe combines a variety of excellent properties. It has high strength, good toughness, impact resistance and excellent welding performance of metal pipes. At the same time, it also has comprehensive properties such as wear resistance, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, mechanical shock resistance, and thermal shock resistance. These performance characteristics give it unique advantages in material transportation.   In many industries, ceramic composite pipes play an important role. For industries such as electricity, metallurgy, mining, coal, and chemicals, conveying materials such as sand, stone, coal, ash, and aluminum liquid is a key link in daily production. These materials are often abrasive or corrosive, and ceramic composite pipes have become an ideal choice for conveying these abrasive materials and corrosive media due to their wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance. Whether facing the wear of granular materials or the erosion of corrosive media, it can ensure the smooth progress of production and transportation.   The wide application of ceramic composite pipes has undoubtedly provided strong support for the efficient and stable development of many industries.

In the field of industrial material transmission, pneumatic conveying systems are widely used due to their high efficiency and cleanliness. However, conveying pipelines will encounter wear problems during operation, especially when the wear of elbows is more prominent, which directly affects the stability and life of the system.   During the pneumatic conveying process, material particles move at high speed in the pipeline, causing continuous collision and friction with the inner wall of the pipeline. Although the straight pipe section will also wear, the wear is relatively uniform. At the elbow, the change in the direction of material flow causes the particles to have a violent impact on the inner wall of the elbow, causing serious wear. To meet this challenge, a variety of solutions have been proposed. Using elbows made of wear-resistant ceramic materials is one of the effective methods. For example, wear-resistant ceramic elbows use their high hardness and wear resistance to effectively resist the impact and friction of material particles. Another method is to increase the thickness of the steel pipe of the elbow to enhance its wear resistance, but this method has limited effect. In addition, by optimizing the system design, such as controlling the material flow rate and reducing the number of elbows, wear can also be reduced to a certain extent.   Although wear-resistant ceramic elbows have largely solved the wear problem, further protective measures are still needed in more complex and high-intensity conveying tasks. Therefore, wear-resistant ceramic backpack elbows came into being. Based on the traditional wear-resistant ceramic elbows, this elbow adds "backpack" structure to provide additional protection for the easily worn parts of the elbow, thereby extending the service life.   In summary, the wear problem of elbows in pneumatic conveying pipelines cannot be ignored, especially the wear at the bends of the elbows. It is essential to ensure the efficient and stable operation of the pneumatic conveying system by deeply understanding the wear mechanism and taking appropriate protective measures.

There are significant differences between metal elbows and ceramic elbows in material properties, performance, and application scenarios. The following are their main differences: Material properties Metal elbows: Usually made of metal materials such as cast steel and alloy steel, they have high strength and toughness, but relatively low hardness (surface hardness generally does not exceed HRC60) and limited wear resistance. Ceramic elbows: The lining is made of high-performance ceramic materials (such as alumina ceramics), with extremely high hardness (Mohs hardness can reach above level 9, HRA85 or above), and wear resistance and corrosion resistance are significantly better than metal. Wear resistance Metal elbows: Due to the low hardness of the material, when conveying abrasive media (such as slurry and coal powder), it wears faster and has a shorter service life. Ceramic elbows: Excellent wear resistance, service life is several times or even more than ten times that of ordinary metal elbows, especially suitable for high wear conditions.   Corrosion resistance Metal elbows: They are easily corroded in corrosive environments such as acids and alkalis, especially in humid environments, where they will rust and cause increased wear. Ceramic elbows: They have stable chemical properties are resistant to acid and alkali corrosion, and can maintain good performance even in harsh environments.   Operation resistance Metal elbows: The inner surface roughness is high, which can easily cause fluid turbulence and increase operation resistance. Ceramic elbows: The inner surface is smooth and the operation resistance is small, which can effectively reduce energy consumption during fluid transportation.   Weight and installation Metal elbows: They are usually heavier and have higher installation and transportation costs. Ceramic elbows: They are light in weight, easy to install, have low system load, and save manpower and material resources.   Service life Metal elbows: In high-wear environments, they have a short service life and may need to be replaced frequently. Ceramic elbows: They have a long service life, reduce the frequency of maintenance and replacement, and reduce long-term use costs.   Application scenarios Metal elbows: They are suitable for ordinary piping systems that do not require high wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Ceramic elbow: widely used in high-wear and high-corrosion industrial fields such as electricity, metallurgy, chemical industry, mining, etc., especially suitable for conveying solid particles, slurry, coal powder and other media.

Core characteristics of wear-resistant ceramic sheets Material composition: Alumina (Al₂O₃, purity 92%~99%) Performance advantages: High hardness: Rockwell hardness HRA≥85, wear resistance is more than 20 times that of manganese steel. Corrosion resistance: Acid and alkali resistance, high-temperature resistance (some ceramics can withstand temperatures up to 1600℃). Lightweight: The density is only 1/3 of that of steel, reducing the load on equipment. Issue Phenomenon Cause Analysis Solution Local Ceramic Tile Shedding Oil contamination on the substrate was not completely removed Rework by re-sandblasting and using a degreaser for a second cleaning Brittle and Cracked Glue Layer Incorrect mixing ratio or uneven mixing Strictly weigh according to the specified ratio, and ensure mixing time is ≥3 minutes Ceramic Edge Chipping No chamfering or buffer layer applied Use ceramic tiles with R5 rounded corners for the edges, and install rubber edge guards Ceramic Lifting in High-Temperature Areas The glue's temperature resistance is insufficient Replace with inorganic glue or add an anchoring structure Installation process steps 1. Surface treatment Cleaning: Remove oil, rust, and impurities from the surface of the equipment. Polishing: Increase surface roughness and improve bonding effect.   2. Adhesive selection Epoxy resin: Suitable for most working conditions, high bonding strength. Polyurethane: Suitable for high-temperature environments, good elasticity. Inorganic adhesive: Suitable for ultra-high temperature environments, good heat resistance.   3. Ceramic sheet pasting Gluing: Apply adhesive evenly on the back of the equipment and ceramic sheet. Pasting: Paste the ceramic sheet according to the designed position to ensure a tight fit. Pressurization: Use a clamp or heavy object to pressurize to ensure a firm bond.   4. Curing Room temperature curing: Usually takes more than 24 hours. Heating curing: Curing can be accelerated in a high-temperature environment to improve bonding strength.   5. Inspection and trimming Inspection: Check the bonding quality after curing to ensure no shedding or hollowing. Trimming: Trim if necessary to ensure a smooth surface.   Precautions Environmental conditions: Ensure that the installation environment is dry and clean, and avoid dust and moisture. Use of adhesive: Strictly follow the instructions to avoid waste or failure. Safety protection: Wear protective equipment to avoid contact with the adhesive on the skin or eyes. Quality inspection: Perform a comprehensive inspection after installation to ensure there are no quality problems.

Ceramic materials are widely used in many fields, and their wear resistance is one of the most studied properties. Wear resistance reflects the ability of materials to resist loss under mechanical effects such as wear and friction. This property plays a vital role in exploring the practical application areas of ceramic materials.   Basic concepts about the wear of ceramic materials 1. The connection between wear resistance and other properties: Wear-resistant ceramic materials may have both wear resistance and toughness, but the hardness is not necessarily outstanding; materials with high hardness are wear-resistant, but they may not be completely tough. This shows that wear resistance is not equivalent to the toughness or hardness of the material. Wear has various causes, including adhesive wear, scratch wear, surface fatigue wear, and corrosive wear. 2. The core of ceramic wear test: Ceramic wear test mainly evaluates the ability of ceramic materials to withstand abrasive wear under specific conditions. The data obtained through such tests helps to determine the specific type of material applicable.   3. Factors to consider when testing wear resistance: When conducting wear resistance tests, attention should be paid to the intrinsic surface properties of the material, such as hardness, strength, ductility, and work hardening. At the same time, factors such as surface finish, lubrication, load size, speed, corrosion, temperature, and the performance of the opposing surfaces are also crucial.   Typical wear-resistant ceramics and their application examples Zirconium oxide, silicon nitride, boron carbide, cubic boron nitride, aluminum oxide, and silicon carbide are typical wear-resistant ceramics. These ceramic materials are widely used in the fields of material grinding and polishing, structural components, wear-resistant coatings, and linings of pipes or equipment.   The wear resistance of ceramic materials directly affects the safe service life of mechanical equipment and parts. Therefore, determining their wear resistance is crucial to finding applications for these materials in mechanical equipment.

Ceramic composite wear-resistant pipe is widely used in the field of wear-resistant pipes and is highly respected. This is due to its excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance, as well as its simple installation and low maintenance cost. Elacera has been deeply involved in wear-resistant ceramic production for over 20 years. We are committed to continuous improvement of ceramic quality, continuing to hone the ceramic composite process, and striving for perfection.   The ceramic composite wear-resistant pipe is usually composed of three layers of steel pipe, adhesive, and wear-resistant ceramic. Advanced adhesive technology is used to firmly adhere the ceramic sheet to the inner wall of the steel pipe. This unique structure simplifies the installation process and reduces costs. In addition, the patch wear-resistant pipe is also suitable for the working conditions of pneumatic conveying powder, such as the equipment and pipelines of the powder-making system of thermal power plants, and the powder selector of cement plants. In addition, the patch wear-resistant pipe is also suitable for the working conditions of pneumatic conveying powder. Ceramic quality is certainly critical, but the ceramic pasting process also has an important impact on the pipeline's performance. Problems such as too large gaps between ceramic sheets, uneven surfaces, or adhesive residues may cause material blockage, reduce conveying efficiency, and aggravate wear. To this end, we have taken a series of measures to improve the ceramic composite effect.   On the one hand, we have introduced advanced production equipment, including laser cutting machines, precision grinders, etc., to ensure that the ceramic sheets are accurate in size, fit tightly, and effectively reduce gaps.   On the other hand, we have also improved and optimized the ceramic pasting process. For example, the staggered arch installation process is used instead of the traditional direct pasting process to make the ceramic layer more stable and not easy to fall off. This process not only enhances the wear resistance of the ceramic layer but also ensures its long-term operation stability. After the ceramic pasting is completed, subsequent processes such as scraping glue and grinding will be carried out to further improve the flatness and finish of the ceramic.   Through our unremitting efforts, the quality and process of ceramic composite wear-resistant pipes have reached new heights, winning the trust and praise of many customers at home and abroad.

The coal powder transportation system of thermal power plants consists of three main links: raw coal storage, grinding, and powder transportation. Due to the continuous scouring and wear of coal powder particles on the pipeline during transportation, traditional metal pipelines are often unable to withstand such harsh working environments and are prone to wear and perforation, resulting in coal powder leakage, which not only affects power generation efficiency but also may bring safety hazards.   In order to solve this problem, we recommend the use of composite pipes made of wear-resistant ceramic materials. By closely embedding wear-resistant ceramic sheets or ceramic tubes on the inner wall of the pipeline, a solid wear-resistant protective layer is formed to effectively resist the erosion of coal powder particles. The hardness of wear-resistant ceramic materials is extremely high, with a Rockwell hardness of more than 88HRA and a Mohs hardness of 9. The wear resistance is more than ten times that of ordinary high-chromium cast iron. In addition, alumina ceramics also have excellent corrosion resistance and can cope with a variety of corrosive media including strong acids and strong alkalis. Therefore, they are widely used in chemical, metallurgical, steel, cement, and other industries.   The use of alumina ceramic composite pipes can significantly improve the wear resistance of the power plant's pulverized coal conveying system, extend the service life of the equipment to more than 5 years, and ensure the stable operation and safety of the power plant.

The reasons for the rise in alumina prices can be mainly attributed to the following points: Supply-side issues Restricted domestic ore mining: Due to environmental protection and other factors, the mining of domestic bauxite is restricted, resulting in a tight supply of domestic bauxite. Tight supply of imported ore: Guinea, the main source of bauxite imports, is affected by uncertain factors such as weather, policy, and shipping, and the overall supply of ore is tight. In addition, the supply of bauxite in Australia and other regions is also affected by various factors, such as frequent accidents in alumina plants, which further aggravates the tight supply of global bauxite.   Increased demand Growth in demand for electrolytic aluminum: The demand in the electrolytic aluminum market is increasing, and the speed of new production and resumption of production are beyond expectations. China's electrolytic aluminum operating capacity has reached a relatively high level, and the operating rate of electrolytic aluminum enterprises is also high. Downstream aluminum plants have a rigid demand for inventory replenishment: Near the end of the year, holiday factors and winter inventory replenishment have caused downstream aluminum plants to implement rigid demand inventory replenishment, and the problem of spot circulation cannot be alleviated, so the purchase price of alumina continues to rise. Rising costs Rising import costs: The sharp rise in overseas alumina prices has caused the import costs of alumina to rise to a high level, and the domestic import window has continued to close, exacerbating the tight supply situation. Increased production costs: Due to the limited room for increasing domestic bauxite mining, the tight supply of raw materials may become the norm, resulting in higher alumina production costs.   Market speculation A relevant person in charge of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association pointed out that there are irrational factors in the price trend of alumina, and excessive capital speculation is obvious. This has also driven the rise in alumina prices to a certain extent.   In summary, the reasons for the rise in alumina prices are multifaceted, including supply-side problems, increased demand, rising costs, and market speculation. These factors work together to make alumina prices show a trend of continuous rise.

Recently, the market for alumina ceramic raw materials has experienced a new round of price increases, with multiple ceramic companies announcing price hikes ranging from 10% to 20%. This price surge not only affects the production cost of alumina ceramic substrates, but also affects the entire passive component industry chain, triggering widespread market attention.   It is understood that the price of alumina ceramics, as a key upstream material for passive components such as chip resistors, has been affected by fluctuations in the raw material market. In recent years, with the recovery of the global economy and the growth of demand, the prices of raw materials such as alumina have continued to rise. Especially since 2022, due to multiple factors such as the dual carbon policy, emission reduction, and power rationing policy, the cost of energy such as coal and natural gas has also significantly increased, further pushing up the production cost of alumina ceramics. The data shows that the futures price of alumina has shown a significant upward trend in the past year. Taking the latest data on October 15, 2024, as an example, the latest price of the main contract for alumina futures is 4856.0 yuan/ton, an increase of 85.0 yuan/ton from the previous trading day, with a fluctuation of 1.78%. This increase not only reflects the tense situation in the raw material market but also indicates a further rise in the price of alumina ceramics.   Under cost pressure, multiple alumina ceramic production companies have had to announce price increases. The leading global upstream material for chip resistors, alumina ceramic substrates, has announced a price increase of at least 15%. This measure is not only to cope with the rise in raw material costs, but also to ensure the normal operation and profit margins of the enterprise.   However, the wave of price increases has also raised concerns in the market. Some downstream companies have stated that the rise in prices of alumina ceramics will directly increase their production costs, thereby affecting the market competitiveness of their products. Meanwhile, price increases may also lead to some small and medium-sized enterprises being forced to shut down or reduce production due to cost pressures, further exacerbating the supply-demand imbalance in the market.   Faced with the wave of price increases, industry experts suggest that companies should strengthen cost control and risk management, and improve product added value and market competitiveness through technological innovation and industrial upgrading. At the same time, the government should strengthen market supervision and policy guidance to promote the healthy and sustainable development of the alumina ceramic industry.   Overall, the rise in the price of alumina ceramics is the result of multiple factors working together. Under cost pressures such as rising raw material prices and increased energy costs, raising prices for enterprises is a last resort. However, price increases also bring uncertainty and risks to the market. In the future, how the alumina ceramic industry will seek a balance between cost pressure and market competition will be the focus of industry attention.