What Are Technical Precision Ceramics ?

Introduction: A Material at the Heart of Swiss Innovation

Technical precision ceramics are cutting-edge materials designed to meet the most demanding requirements of modern industry. In Switzerland (where microtechnology, watchmaking, robotics and medicine reach unmatched levels of excellence) these ceramics have become strategic materials.

They combine a unique set of properties (hardness, chemical resistance, dimensional stability and electrical insulation) that are difficult to achieve with metals or polymers. These characteristics explain their widespread use in luxury watches, medical implants, electronic sensors and turbine components.

Switzerland, known for its expertise in precision engineering, has made technical ceramics a key driver of both local production and international export competitiveness.

Definition: What Are Technical Precision Ceramics?

Technical precision ceramics are non-metallic, inorganic and crystalline materials produced from ultra-fine powders of oxides or nitrides. These powders are compacted, injected and sintered at temperatures exceeding 1,400°C, forming a dense and homogeneous structure with minimal porosity.

Unlike traditional ceramics (such as porcelain or stoneware), technical ceramics are designed for functional applications. They are not intended for aesthetics, but for mechanical, thermal and chemical performance.

Their production relies on high-precision manufacturing processes, especially Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM), a technology that enables the creation of complex micro-components with tolerances down to the micron, without the need for post-sintering machining. This drastically reduces production costs and improves repeatability.

Main Applications of Technical Precision Ceramics in Switzerland

The industrial uses of these materials are numerous and particularly prevalent in high-value-added Swiss sectors.

Watchmaking and Microtechnology

In watchmaking, micron-level precision is a fundamental requirement.

Technical ceramics are used to manufacture wheels, shafts, pivots, rings, bearings and bushings. Their wear resistance and low friction coefficient ensure a much longer lifespan than equivalent metal parts.

Some high-end Swiss watches even feature ceramic cases, lightweight, scratch-resistant and corrosion-proof. Brands such as Rado, Omega and Hublot have largely contributed to the adoption of ceramics within the luxury watch industry.

Medical and Dental Industry

Biocompatible ceramics, such as zirconia and alumina, are crucial in the medical field.

They are used to produce:

Dental implants and joint prostheses (hip, knee, shoulder),
Surgical tools resistant to sterilization,
Diagnostic components such as guides, holders and sensors.

Their biocompatibility (meaning non-toxic, chemically inert, and non-reactive with biological tissues) makes them ideal for long-term applications.

In Switzerland, strict quality standards and precision manufacturing make local producers of technical ceramics trusted partners for laboratories, hospitals and dental clinics.

Electronics, Sensors and Telecommunications

Technical ceramics are excellent electrical and thermal insulators.

They are used in:

High-temperature printed circuits,
Pressure and temperature sensors,
Fiber optic and laser components,
High-voltage connectors for aerospace and energy industries.

Thanks to their dimensional stability and low thermal expansion coefficient, they maintain their properties even under extreme conditions of temperature, cold or pressure.

This makes them a material of choice for Swiss companies in robotics, scientific instrumentation and aerospace technologies.

Mechanical and Energy Industries

In mechanical engineering, technical ceramics are increasingly replacing metallic alloys.

They are used for:

Injection nozzles, valves, bearings, mechanical seals,
Pump and turbine components subjected to thermal and chemical stress.

These ceramics can withstand temperatures up to 1,800°C without deforming or oxidizing, while resisting highly corrosive environments (acids, solvents, industrial fluids).

For Swiss industries in energy production, aeronautics and fine chemistry, technical ceramics offer a reliable and durable solution.

Key Advantages of Technical Precision Ceramics

Technical ceramics exhibit a unique combination of physical properties rarely found together in other materials.

Property	Detailed Description
Extreme hardness	Up to 9 on the Mohs scale (close to diamond). Exceptional scratch and abrasion resistance.
High mechanical strength	Withstands intense pressure and mechanical shock, especially stabilized zirconia.
Dimensional stability	Maintains exact shape under thermal or mechanical stress, ensuring long-term precision.
Chemical resistance	Fully resistant to corrosion, acids, alkalis and oxidation.
Electrical insulation	Excellent insulation even at high temperatures, ideal for power electronics.
Biocompatibility	Biologically inert, non-toxic, non-allergenic, and non-reactive.
Low density	Lighter than steel or titanium, reducing component weight.
Low thermal expansion	Keeps exact dimensions even under large temperature variations.

Examples of Technical Ceramics Used in Switzerland

Alumina (Al₂O₃)

A common material for electrical insulators and mechanical components.

Advantages: High rigidity, good thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance.
Applications: Sensors, wear parts, medical implants, circuit substrates.

Zirconia (ZrO₂)

Renowned for its fracture toughness and shock resistance, zirconia is the most widely used in Switzerland.

Advantages: Mechanical strength close to metals, polishable surface, biocompatibility.
Applications: Micromechanical parts, pivots, dental implants, watch components.

Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄)

A high-performance material for extreme environments.

Advantages: Exceptional thermal and mechanical resistance, low density.
Applications: Bearings, turbines, motors, high-temperature electronics.

Silicon Carbide (SiC)

Very hard and highly abrasion-resistant.

Applications: Nozzles, components for the chemical and energy industries.

Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM): A Revolution in Micro-Manufacturing

Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM) is a key technology in Swiss production of technical ceramics.

It combines the precision of plastic injection moulding with the performance of ceramic materials.

The main steps include:

Feedstock preparation: Ceramic powder is mixed with a thermoplastic binder to form a homogeneous paste.
Injection: The paste is injected under high pressure into a steel mould to form the desired geometry.
Debinding: The polymer binder is removed by thermal or solvent treatment.
Sintering: The part is fired at high temperature to densify and solidify the ceramic.

This process enables the production of complex, miniaturized, and highly repeatable parts, with micrometric precision, without the need for machining.

It is particularly cost-effective for medium to large production runs, typical of Swiss industrial demand.

Swiss Excellence in the Field of Technical Ceramics

Switzerland has established itself as a leading player in the research, design and production of technical ceramics.

Institutions such as EPFL, Empa and CSEM are developing new generations of functional micro-ceramics, incorporating smart sensors and piezoelectric properties.

Specialized companies such as Adamou Sàrl (VD), Ceramaret (NE) and Swiss CeraTech contribute to the country’s industrial excellence, offering custom-engineered ceramic solutions tailored to the needs of micromechanics, healthcare and energy sectors.

Conclusion: A Material Shaping the Future of Swiss Precision

Technical precision ceramics represent far more than a material, they are a technology of reliability, miniaturization and sustainability.

Thanks to their outstanding performance and advanced processes such as ceramic injection moulding, these materials have become indispensable to Switzerland’s high-tech industries.

From luxury watches to medical instruments and microelectronic sensors, technical ceramics perfectly embody the Swiss industrial philosophy: precision in the service of excellence.