Steatite

Production & properties

Steatite is a silicate-ceramic material based on soapstone, with a proportion of 75 – 90 %.
Apart from soapstone, it also contains clay and flux agent.
Typical steatite materials are composed of 58 – 65 % SiO₂, 26 – 32 % MgO, 3 – 6 % Al₂O₃, 1,3 % Na₂O (for C 220), and 7 % BaO (for C 221).
The glass phase has a proportion of 25 – 45 %. The crystalline proportion consists of protoenstatite.

Mechanical stability values can be increased with the addition of zirconium oxide.

Typical moulding procedures are dry pressing, extrusion, ceramic injection moulding, slip casting and wet pressing.

The design examples illustrate the variety of shapes that can be achieved through dry pressing technology. When materials are substituted, the experiences of the manufacturer in terms of a ceramics-compatible construction should be taken into account from the very beginning.

Steatite is sintered at approx. 1300 °C. To retain dirt-repellent surfaces, steatite can also be glazed.

Steatite displays the following critical properties:

• • • very good dielectric strength
    • tracking resistant
    • heat resistance and form stability up to 1000 °C
    • high mechanical strength
    • non-combustible
    • age-resistant
    • resistant to UV radiation

Applications

Its outstanding electrical insulation properties have made steatite one of the most important materials in electrical engineering. Some fields of application:

• • • halogen sockets
    • NH fuses
    • insulators
    • thermostat switch casings

Apart from the aluminium oxide material RAPOX, steatite is also used as a high-voltage insulator.

Enquiries

We will be pleased to draw up an offer for you! For this purpose, we request a customer specification drawing, with details of quantities and required tolerances.

For very small tolerances the parts have to be grinded.