materials
Macor
After being originally developed as a solution to minimize thermal transference in manned spaceflight in the vacuum of space, scientists and engineers have turned to Macor as a go-to for quick machining turnarounds due to both its physical characteristics and cost-effective nature.
8.0
Relative Cost of Material
3.0
Machining Degree of Difficulty
Summary
Macor is a unique glass-ceramic hybrid (45% borosilicate glass and 55% fluorophlogopite mica) made by Corning Inc., best known for its thermal and electrical insulation properties, having zero porosity, and allowing for among the fastest and most precise machining of all advanced ceramic materials. Macor was originally developed as a solution to minimize thermal transference in manned spaceflight in the vacuum of space, but scientists and engineers have turned to it as a go-to for quick machining turnarounds due to both its physical characteristics and cost-effective nature.
Mindrum Precision has over thirty years of experience machining Macor, and this specialization is a major focus in terms of what we offer. Macor’s high machinability means that the main limiting factor on what tolerances and geometries can be fabricated is the skill of the machinists making the part, which in turn means that we can achieve a degree of precision for our customers that is above and beyond what is typically possible in any other technical ceramic. Click here for our contact information or to request a quote, and we will bring this world-class level of precision to your next project.
Applications
One of the greatest strengths of Macor as a material is its machinability. As a highly machinable ceramic, it allows for faster turnaround times in a superior material, and is often the choice of a variety of industries who are looking for technical ceramic properties in complex geometries, but are still working on either a tight budget or a tight timeline. As a material, its standout qualities include:
- A relatively high working temperature of 800°C (1000°C under no load), with no creep or deformation under high heat.
- Zero porosity and no offgassing, which is ideal for a variety of aerospace, vacuum, and laser-based applications.
- High rate of radiation resistance, low thermal conductivity, and low electrical conductivity make Macor an excellent insulator across a plethora of industries, including military, medical, and nuclear research.
- Faster production times, tighter tolerances, and more complex geometries are made possible by Macor’s machining-friendly properties, which results in lower costs and quicker turnarounds than Alumina-based or other technical ceramic machining projects.
- Solderability, both to other Macor components as well as to other materials, which has made Macor a frequently used material in semiconductor and electrical applications.
Properties
| Material Property | Macor |
|---|---|
| Density (g/cm^3) | 2.52 |
| Hardness (Knoop) | 250 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 90 |
| Modulus of Elasticity (GPa) | 67 |
| Flexural Strength (MPa) | 103 |
| Compressive Strength (MPa) | 345 |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.29 |
| Fracture Toughness (MPa*m^.5) | 1.53 |
| Dielectric Strength (ac-kV/mm) | 31 |
| Dielectric Constant (@1MHz) | 6.03 |
| Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm @25°C) | > 1.0E14 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (1 x 10^-6/°C) | 9.4 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m K) | 1.46 |
| Specific Heat (J/kg*K) | 794.96 |
| Shock Resistance (°C Differential) | 25 - 100 |
| Maximum Working Temperature (°C) | 1000 |
| *Note: Properties vary by manufacturer. The above information should be used for general reference purposes only. |
related Materials
- Alumina – Harder, more corrosion resistant ceramic with similar insulatory properties
- Fused Quartz – A high-purity material with good optical and mechanical properties
- Aluminum Nitride – Harder, denser ceramic with similar electrical resistivity
