Ceramic Material types

The primary ceramic material for yarn guides is Aluminum Oxide, or “Alumina”.

Alumina is a durable ceramic with excellent wear resistance properties. This material is also most commonly used in engineered surface finishes, which are possible with certain grades (purities) of Alumina ceramic.

Purity of Alumina ceramics used in textile guides commonly ranges from 85-99.7% Al2O3.

Alumina ceramic materials have been refined and improved over the past several decades, allowing for higher purities with greater hardness and durability. Higher quality Alumina oxide materials have a fine micro-grain structure which is an ideal platform for engineered surface finish treatment, although in many cases this material gives excellent performance without requiring subsequent surface modifications.

Alumina ceramics can be white, ivory, pink, or burgundy / red in color. In some cases, the coloration will attribute the ceramic purity. However, this is not always the case. Coloration is commonly added to this material to facilitate easier visibility of yarn as it contacts the guide surface, as white yarn is difficult to see as it runs over a white ceramic. 

Alumina is the preferred material for these guides: Bearing Rollers, Hook / Trap Guides, Pigtail and Dogtail Guides, Ceramic Rods, and Traverse Guides. 

Please relay any information about your specific yarn parameters and existing fiber handling concerns so we can make a recommendation on the best guide and surface for your production needs.

Another common ceramic material for yarn guides is Titanium Dioxide, or “Titania”. 

Titania is a dense ceramic, however it is not as hard as Alumina and it is more susceptible to fracturing than Alumina. Titania is preferred over Alumina in certain yarn applications, as it can be more gentle to some yarn types. Normal Titania ceramic is often a beige or tan color. 

Titania guides may require more frequent replacement than an Alumina equivalent, as this ceramic can wear out more quickly (this however depends on the yarn type and speed in use over the eyelet / guide). Because Titania is more prone to fracturing, there are certain shapes of guides which are not manufactured / recommended in this material. Although engineered surface finishes can be applied on Titania ceramic, the Matte Finish (MF) is not encouraged on Titania due to the rapid wear which can remove the engineered surface. 

Titania can be fired with an additive which yields an electrically conductive ceramic, which is usually dark gray in color. Conductive Titania can help dissipate static charge in some types of yarn, provided the equipment and machinery in which it is used is grounded. Many warp creel eyelets are made from Conductive Titania, held in place with metal clips into a metal frame or eyelet board. 

Titania is commonly used for eyelets and ceramic posts / tubes. Titania is not recommended for ceramic rods and pigtail shapes. 

Please relate any specific needs or questions you may have about ceramic materials so we can identify all material options in order to select the best available solution for your process.