Alumina (Al₂O₃) CNC Machining Services

Alumina (Al₂O₃) is a hard, wear-resistant technical ceramic ideal for precision CNC machining, advanced ceramic fabrication, and high-purity ceramic grinding in demanding industrial applications. It is widely used in aerospace, electronics, medical, and industrial applications for high-strength, high-temperature components.

Material Properties & Advantages

What is Alumina (Al₂O₃)?

Alumina (Al₂O₃), or aluminum oxide, is a high-performance technical ceramic valued for its extreme hardness, high wear resistance, and superior thermal stability. It withstands harsh environments, making it a preferred material for aerospace, medical, and semiconductor industries.

Key Advantages of Alumina (Al₂O₃):

Superior Thermal & Electrical Insulation
– Performs well under high temperatures

Extreme Hardness & Wear Resistance
– Withstands abrasive environments

Corrosion & Chemical Resistance
– Ideal for harsh operating conditions

Biocompatibility
– Used in medical applications

High Temperature Stability
– Withstands temperatures over 1,500°C

Alumina (Al₂O₃) Specifications & Datasheets

We offer two primary grades of Alumina for CNC machining

Alumina 96% (Al₂O₃ 96%)

Cost-effective and thermally stable / Reliable mechanical strength / Good electrical insulation

Hardness

Density

Thermal Conductivity

Electrical Resistivity

14-16 GPa (Vickers Hardness)

3.7 g/cm³

24 W/m·K

>10¹² Ω·cm

Wear Resistance

Chemical Resistance

Flexural Strength

Compressive Strength

High

Moderate to High

450 MPa

3000 MPa

Alumina 99.6% (Al₂O₃ 99.6%)

Higher purity for superior hardness & resistance / Ideal for high-precision electronic components / Excellent wear and corrosion resistance

Hardness

Density

Thermal Conductivity

Electrical Resistivity

18-20 GPa (Vickers Hardness)

3.9 g/cm³

30 W/m·K

>10¹² Ω·cm

Wear Resistance

Chemical Resistance

Flexural Strength

Compressive Strength

Excellent

High

450 MPa

3000 MPa

Custom Alumina Material Options

Need a specific Alumina composition? We offer custom material options tailored to your project requirements. Contact us to discuss your needs.

Trusted by over 200 successful companies around the globe.

Machining Capabilities for Alumina (Al₂O₃)

Challenges & Solutions
Alumina is hard but brittle, requiring specialized machining to prevent chipping and cracking. Our advanced methods include:

Diamond Grinding – Achieves smooth, precise surfaces

Ultrasonic-Assisted Machining – Minimizes stress, improves accuracy

Precision CNC Milling & Turning – Enables complex part geometries

Wire EDM (If Applicable) – For fine, intricate cuts

Tolerances Achievable for Machined Alumina

Milling & Turning: ±0.005mm

Grinding: ±0.002mm

Applications of Alumina (Al₂O₃)

Alumina is widely used in high-performance industrial applications due to its extreme hardness, high thermal stability, and electrical insulation properties. Common applications include:

Aerospace: Heat shields, thermal barriers, and wear-resistant components

Electronics: Substrates, insulators, and high-frequency circuit components

Medical Devices: Biocompatible implants and surgical tools

Industrial Equipment: High-wear tooling, structural parts, and corrosion-resistant components

Semiconductor Manufacturing: Wafer handling, processing components, and precision fixtures

Surface Finishing Options for Alumina (Al₂O₃)

Machined Alumina parts often require specialized surface finishing techniques to enhance performance, improve aesthetics, and meet functional requirements. We offer a range of precision finishing solutions for Alumina ceramics:

Lapping & Polishing

Achieves ultra-smooth surfaces with submicron-level roughness (Ra < 0.1 μm).

Diamond Grinding

Ensures high dimensional accuracy with minimal surface defects.

Honing & Superfinishing

Improves roundness and surface uniformity for cylindrical parts.

Laser Marking

Enables permanent identification or branding without compromising material integrity.

Chemical Etching

Used for controlled material removal and surface texturing.

Efficiency

Moving Fast, Guaranteed.

We prioritize operational efficiency to reduce costs and expedite delivery.

Average response time within 2 hours
Global delivery in a matter of days
97.4% of parts shipped on time

Wide-Ranging Experience

Crafting Excellence Through Diverse Expertise

Our collaboration with diverse partners, each with unique machinery and expertise, enables us to overcome complex manufacturing challenges.

Over 2000 projects delivered
Expertise in multiple manufacturing processes
Expert DFM feedback

Massive Capacity

Ready to Meet Your Demands

Backed by 100+ carefully vetted, closely partnered experts, we fulfill your on-demand manufacturing needs at scale.

65+ CNC Manufacturing Partners
15+ Additive Manufacturing Partners
20+ Surface Finishing Partners

Quality Assurance

Ensuring Perfection, Delivering Excellence

Every part we ship is meticulously inspected in our in-house lab to ensure it meets consistent design and quality standards.

ISO 9001:2015 Certified
State-of-the-art QC Equipment
In-depth Inspection Reports Available

Additional Ceramics We Support

In addition to Alumina, we offer precision CNC machining services for other hard technical ceramics:

Silicon Carbide (SiC)

Extreme hardness and high thermal stability.

Zirconia (ZrO₂)

High fracture toughness and wear resistance.

Boron Nitride (BN)

Excellent thermal conductivity and electrical insulation.

Quartz & Glass Ceramics

Used for optical and semiconductor applications.

Silicon (Si)

Essential for semiconductor wafer processing.

Looking for more ceramic machining options? Check out our Silicon Carbide CNC Machining services.

Request a Quote for Alumina CNC Machining Today

Looking for high-precision Alumina (Al₂O₃) machining? InstaVoxel delivers expert CNC machining, fast lead times, and superior quality. Contact us today to discuss your project.

Alumina (Al₂O₃) FAQs

Can Alumina be polished to a mirror finish?

Yes! Alumina can be polished to a submicron-level surface roughness (Ra < 0.1 μm) using
diamond lapping and fine grinding.
What is the typical lead time for Alumina CNC machining?

Lead times depend on part complexity and quantity, but standard orders typically take 2-4
weeks. For urgent projects, expedited manufacturing options are available.
What are the benefits of Alumina over other ceramics?

Alumina offers higher hardness and thermal resistance than many ceramics. Compared to
Zirconia (ZrO₂), Alumina is more thermally stable. Compared to Silicon Carbide (SiC), it is
more electrically insulating.
Can you machine custom Alumina parts?

Yes! We offer custom Alumina compositions and tolerances for unique applications.
Contact us for a custom quote.
What machining techniques are best for Alumina?

Because Alumina is brittle and hard, the best techniques include diamond grinding, ultrasonic-assisted machining, and high-precision CNC milling.
What is Alumina (Al₂O₃) used for in CNC machining?

Alumina is used in high-precision machining for electronics, aerospace, and medical devices, thanks to its high strength, temperature resistance, and electrical insulation.