Silzot®
Silzot® – the ceramic solution for extreme demands. Maximum performance, minimal compromise
Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) is a high-performance ceramic material that is highly valued in many industrial applications such as the automotive, electrical, aerospace industries, mechanical engineering, medical technology, and foundries due to its outstanding properties.
These remarkable material properties make silicon nitride a unique all-rounder:
- Excellent tribological properties
- High hardness
- Very good fracture toughness
- Low density – lightweight
- Low thermal expansion
- Outstanding thermal conductivity
- Exceptional resistance to high temperatures (>1200°C)
- Excellent thermal shock resistance
- Chemical resistance
With these properties, silicon nitride is a versatile material used in various high-tech industries. Its unique material characteristics make it a preferred choice for applications that require high performance and reliability.
Direct reaction with silicon and nitrogen at high temperatures without the use of catalysts:
3 Si + 2 N2 → Si3N4
Production conditions at Alzchem for high-quality silicon nitride Silzot®:
- High-purity silicon and high-purity nitrogen gas
- Only dry production steps
- Precise control of reaction conditions
- Specific reactor enables the production of stable, high-quality silicon nitride
- Special micronization unit (air jet mill) prevents any kind of cross-contamination
Our silicon nitride production follows a clear principle: efficiency through proximity and responsibility. Thanks to direct nitrification; a particularly material- and energy-efficient process, we succeed in manufacturing high-quality ceramic materials with reduced resource consumption. Embedded in the integrated structure of the Alzchem Group, we benefit from short distances and a consistently sustainable production approach. This results in a product that is not only technologically convincing but also sets ecological standards.
Products - Silzot® Powder Grades
Silzot® HQ
| Characteristics | Typical Values |
|---|---|
| N-content | > 38.7% |
| O-content | < 0.6% |
| α-content | > 86% |
| Al | < 0.07% |
| Fe | < 0.03% |
| Ca | < 0.03% |
| Particle Size | |
| d98 | < 10μm |
| d90 | < 5μm |
| d50 | < 1.9μm |
Standard quality
Available in two different particle sizes:
- Silzot® <10µm
- Silzot® <3 µm
Silzot® HP
| Characteristics | Typical Values |
|---|---|
| N-content | > 38.7% |
| O-content | < 0.6% |
| α-content | > 93% |
| Al | < 0.03% |
| Fe | < 0.03% |
| Ca | < 0.03% |
| Particle Size | |
| d98 | < 10μm |
| d90 | < 5μm |
| d50 | < 1.9μm |
- This special grade is suitable for high-end applications such as rolling bearings or ball bearings and substrates for applications in wind energy, mechanical engineering, aerospace, and the transport sector (including e-mobility for trains, ships, heavy transport, and automobiles).
- Very high α-content ensures excellent mechanical properties.
- Very low Al-content guarantees extremely good thermal conductivity.
Silzot® RTP
| Chemical Characteristics (after debinding) | |
|---|---|
| α- Si3N4 | min. 86% |
| O-content | max. 6.0 % |
| C- content | max 0.2 % |
| Fe- content | max. 0.03 % |
| Ca- content | max. 0.03% |
- Silzot® HQ is available as <3 μm powder with sintering additives and organic binders.
- We also offer press-ready granulate with excellent flowability and optimal pressability.
Where is Silzot® used?
In engine technology, spark plugs, glow plugs, and turbo rotors are used, where materials like silicon nitride are particularly suitable due to their high temperature resistance and mechanical strength. Especially in high-performance ignition systems, silicon nitride offers decisive advantages.
Ceramic balls and ceramic bearings benefit from the excellent properties of silicon nitride. The material is characterized by low friction, high wear resistance, and long service life—ideal for precision and high-speed applications. Silzot® HP is particularly suitable here due to its high purity, mechanical strength, and very high α-phase content, which leads to excellent mechanical properties. Therefore, it is preferred in high-performance bearing systems in e-mobility.
Riser tubes and protection tubes for thermocouples must withstand extreme thermal and chemical stresses. Silicon nitride offers a reliable solution here, especially in high-temperature processes and corrosive environments.
Indexable inserts, welding nozzles, and rollers for plastic forming require materials with high hardness and thermal stability. Silicon nitride offers exactly these properties, ensuring long service life and precise machining. Silzot® HP is particularly in demand in this application area, as it delivers consistently high performance even under extreme machining conditions.
Insulating substrates for power semiconductor modules must be both electrically insulating and thermally conductive. Silicon nitride meets these requirements optimally and is therefore increasingly used in modern electronic systems. Silzot® HP offers a particularly reliable solution for demanding applications in power electronics due to its excellent thermal conductivity and electrical insulation. Its very high α-phase content leads to outstanding mechanical properties, while the very low aluminum content ensures extremely good thermal conductivity; ideal for use in high-performance and thermally demanding modules.
Parts for wear-resistant linings are used in heavily loaded systems. The use of silicon nitride can significantly increase the service life of these components, resulting in lower maintenance costs and higher operational reliability.
In chemical plants, liquid regulators are used, which are particularly durable due to the chemical resistance of silicon nitride. New developments include orthopedic implants, where the biocompatibility of silicon nitride plays a central role.
That’s why you should choose Silzot®
- A registered trademark for quality, reliability, and expertise for over 30 years
- High-quality raw materials and the use of unique production technology
- Only sustainable, environmentally friendly, and dry production steps; no wet cleaning steps required (no acids)
- Highly precise and controlled reaction conditions for consistently high quality with very tight specifications
- Low oxygen content and minimal metal impurities
- Low aluminum content for improved thermal conductivity of the ceramics
- High flexibility in packaging and shipping
- Global consulting, service, and availability from a single source
- European supply chain and “Made in Germany”
- Continuous innovation and process optimization
Your expert for Silzot®
Jörg Brinkmann
