High-Precision Customized Sapphire Bearings Low Friction Industrial
Applications
Sapphire bearing components are manufactured from high-purity
single-crystal α-alumina (Al₂O₃), serving as critical elements in
high-precision mechanical systems due to their exceptional physical
properties. With a Mohs hardness of 9 (second only to diamond),
these components significantly reduce friction and wear while
extending equipment service life. Their chemical inertness resists
most acid/base corrosion (except HF) without releasing contaminants
in vacuum or high-purity environments, meeting stringent
cleanliness requirements for semiconductor and medical
applications. The thermal expansion coefficient (5.3×10⁻⁶/°C)
closely matches steel, preventing thermal stress-induced failure.
Additionally, their insulating properties (volume resistivity
>10¹⁴Ω·cm) eliminate electrostatic interference, making them
ideal for precision electronics. Advanced laser processing and ion
beam polishing enable sub-micron dimensional accuracy (±0.5μm) and
ultra-smooth surfaces (Ra≤0.01μm), delivering reliable performance
for high-precision motion systems.
Key Features of Sapphire Bearings
· Exceptional Hardness & Wear Resistance: Mohs 9 hardness with wear rates 1/10 of metal bearings
· Chemical Inertness: Resists strong acids (except HF), alkalis, and organic solvents
with <0.001mm/year corrosion rate
· Thermal Stability: CTE of 5.3×10⁻⁶/°C (steel-compatible) prevents thermal stress
failure
· Precision Machining Capability: Achieves surface roughness Ra≤0.01μm and flatness ±0.05mm/100mm
· Electrical Insulation: Volume resistivity >10¹⁴Ω·cm for anti-interference
applications
Primary applications of Sapphire Bearings
1. Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment
Critical for lithography wafer stages and vacuum robotic arms,
their particle-free properties maintain chip yield with ≤0.1μm
radial runout. In EUV lithography systems, sapphire bearings
withstand intense UV radiation without degradation.
2. Medical Devices
Core components for dental handpieces (≥300,000 RPM turbines),
offering ISO 13485-compliant biocompatibility and autoclave
resistance (135°C cyclic sterilization). Miniature bearings
(<1mm diameter) enable precise force feedback in surgical robots
without MRI artifacts.
3. Precision Instruments
Used in AFM scanner heads and inertial guidance gyros, reducing
motion noise to <0.1dB. Telescope equatorial mounts achieve
0.01-arcsecond tracking accuracy with sapphire bearings.
4. Industrial High-End Equipment
Fiber drawing capstans demonstrate <1μm wear after 1,000
operational hours, outperforming conventional ceramics. 5G antenna
phase adjusters endure -40°C to 85°C thermal cycling.
ZMSH's Services
We deliver end-to-end sapphire bearing solutions including:
Material selection (doping optimization)
Structural design (FEA stress analysis)
Precision machining (laser cutting/ion beam polishing)
Performance testing (tribology/life validation)
Custom coatings (DLC/diamond-like carbon)
Prototypes available in 48 hours, with 2-4 week production cycles
for volume orders. Aerospace-grade clean packaging (Class 10) and
global logistics support included.
Q&A
