5 Things to Know Before Buying Metallized Ceramics

As a typical inorganic non-metallic material, ceramics seem to stand in a completely opposite position to metal.

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As its advantages are too prominent, people began to think of combining ceramics and metals, to joint their strengths. This is how the Metallized Ceramics technology generation.

Advantages of ceramics

• Low dielectric loss-the dielectric constant.
• High thermal conductivity
• Thermal expansion coefficient-the thermal expansion coefficients of ceramics and metals are close
• High bonding strength-high bonding strength between metal layer and ceramic
• High operating temperature-ceramics can withstand high and low-temperature cycles with large fluctuations, and can even operate normally at high temperatures of 500-600 degrees.
• High electrical insulation-the ceramic material itself is an insulating material and can withstand a high breakdown voltage.

When ceramics are used in circuits, they must be metalized first, that is, a layer of metal film that is firmly bonded to the ceramics but not easy to be melted is applied to the ceramic surface to make it conductive, and then welded with metal leads or other metal conductive layers Connected to become one.

It can be said that the pros and cons of the ceramic metallization effect will directly affect the final packaging effect.

The commonly used preparation methods for ceramic metallization mainly include the Mo-Mn method, activated Mo-Mn method, active metal brazing method, direct copper-clad method (DBC), and magnetron sputtering method.

1. Mo-Mn method
The Mo-Mn method is based on refractory metal powder Mo, then a small amount of low melting point Mn is added to the metallization formula, the binder is added to coat the Al2O3 ceramic surface, and then sintered to form a metalized layer. The disadvantages of the traditional Mo-Mn method are that the sintering temperature is high, the energy consumption is large, and the lack of activator in the formula leads to low sealing strength.

2. Activation Mo-Mn method
The activated Mo-Mn method is an improvement on the basis of the traditional Mo-Mn method. The main directions for improvement are: adding activators and replacing the metal powder with oxides or salts of molybdenum and manganese. Both types of improvement methods are aimed at lowering the metallization temperature. The disadvantages of the activated Mo-Mn method are that the process is complex and the cost is high, but its combination is firm and can greatly improve the wettability, so it is still the earliest invented process in the ceramic-metal sealing process with a relatively wide range of applications.

3. Active metal brazing method
The active metal brazing method is also a widely used ceramic-metal sealing process. It is developed 10 years later than the Mo-Mn method. It is characterized by fewer processes. The ceramic-metal sealing can be completed by only one heating process. . The brazing alloy contains active elements such as Ti, Zr, Hf and Ta. The added active elements react with Al2O3 to form a reaction layer with metallic characteristics at the interface. This method can be easily adapted to mass production. Compared with the manganese process, this method is relatively simple and economical.

The disadvantage of the active metal brazing method is that the active brazing filler metal is single, which limits its application and is not suitable for continuous production. It is only suitable for large, single-piece or small batch production.

4. Direct Copper Cladding (DBC)
DBC is a metallization method for bonding copper foil on ceramic surfaces (mainly Al2O3 and AlN). It is a new type of process developed with the rise of chip-on-board (COB) packaging technology. The basic principle is to introduce oxygen between Cu and ceramics, and then form a Cu/O eutectic liquid phase at ~℃, and then react with the ceramic matrix and copper foil to produce CuAlO2 or Cu(AlO2)2, and then Under the action of the intermediate phase, the bond between the copper foil and the substrate is realized.

5. Magnetron sputtering method
Magnetron sputtering method is a kind of physical vapor deposition. It deposits multilayer films on the substrate through magnetron technology. It has advantages over other deposition techniques, such as better adhesion and less Contamination, and improves the crystallinity of the deposited samples to obtain high-quality films. The metallization layer obtained by this method is very thin, which can ensure the accuracy of the part size. The DPC process supports PTH (Plated Through Hole) / Vias (Through Hole). High-density assembly is possible-the line/spacing (L/S) resolution can reach 20μm, so as to realize the lightweight, miniaturization, and integration of the equipment.

As a new type of material, ceramic metallization has many unique advantages. In the near future, ceramic metallization materials are bound to shine.

It’s hard to ignore the designer colors and sleek, minimalist shapes of ceramic cookware—especially when those ads keep popping up in your Instagram feed (you know the ones). Like with any trendy cookware item, however, it’s reasonable to feel a healthy dose of skepticism. , we wanted to help demystify ceramic cookware like our CeramiClad™ Collection: the advantages, the considerations, and where the name actually comes from.

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What Is Ceramic Cookware?

Despite the name, ceramic cookware isn't kiln-fired—rather, the name comes from the coating’s enamel-like appearance. The inside of a ceramic pot or pan is coated with a naturally-derived, water- and oil-resistant coating on top of a metal base (usually stainless steel or aluminum).

Since this coating is—and always has been—made without harmful chemicals like PFAS and heavy metals like lead and cadmium, ceramic cookware is often marketed as a more sustainable alternative to traditionally coated non stick cookware.

What are the Pros of Ceramic Cookware?

The pros of ceramic cookware are similar to those of the traditional non stick cookware you're familiar with—namely, the smooth non stick finish makes for easier cleanup, and requires less oil or cooking fat to keep things from sticking.

1. No-Stick Coating

The coating on the inside of a ceramic pot or pan functions similarly to that of traditional, coated non stick cookware, providing a frictionless surface for cooking eggs, fish, and other delicate, stick-prone foods. Ceramic cookware is one of our favorite clean cooking solutions and option for those trying to cook with less fat, since you won’t need as much oil or butter to keep food from sticking.

2. Easy to Clean

This one’s pretty straightforward—since food naturally releases more easily from the surface of a ceramic pot or pan, you won’t need to scour or soak your ceramic cookware. To clean ceramic pans, just give it a gentle scrub with dish soap and a soft sponge to remove any debris. The only factors to keep in mind are avoiding abrasive tools like steel wool at all costs—and keeping it far away from the dishwasher.

3. Induction-Compatible

If you’re looking for a pan that’s compatible with an induction cooktop, ceramic cookware is a solid option that's typically compatible across all types of cooktops, from induction to gas to electric, provided it's made of the right materials.

What are the Considerations of Ceramic Cookware?

Like other pans, ceramic cookware has a few considerations to keep in mind—namely, it has a shorter lifespan than other options.

1. Differing Quality Options

While you can find high-quality ceramic cookware made of high-quality hard-anodized aluminum or cladded stainless steel—like our CeramiClad™ Collection, made with the same base as our 5-ply Stainless Clad—that’s not always the case: many ceramic pans are made with an aluminum base, which can warp and scratch more easily.

Just like with any cookware, make sure to do a little research before purchasing a ceramic pan to make sure you’re getting something durable and relatively long-lasting.

2. Shorter Lifespan

Even if you manage to carefully source a well-made ceramic pan, your cookware is still only likely to last a couple of years. This is due to the nature of the coating, which naturally releases every time you heat up your pan. Once that coating has worn out, your pan will no longer be non stick—but will still be usable, and can be made relatively non stick once more with the help of cooking fat.

3. Delicate Coating

The coating on a ceramic pot or pan tends to be more fragile than other types of coatings, which means it can be more susceptible to scratches and other forms of wear and tear. This applies to high-heat cooking, as well—some ceramic pans are marketed as safe for high heat cooking, but sustained use over high heat can actually cause the ceramic coating to break down more quickly.

That's why we suggest using our CeramiClad™ with soft, non stick-friendly utensils, like nylon, silicone, or wood, and keeping it under medium on the stovetop.

Ready to Shop?

Like with any piece of cookware, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and safe using it. And if you still feel unsure about cooking with regular non stick pans, ceramic cookware is a great option with many more pros than considerations.