Sapphire through-hole bearings are ultra-precision components made from single-crystal aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), designed for applications requiring extreme wear resistance, dimensional stability, and ultra-low friction performance.
Compared with metal or conventional ceramic bearings, sapphire bearings provide longer service life, no particle shedding, and superior performance in cleanroom, optical, and high-speed micro-mechanical systems.
ZMSH offers fully customized sapphire bearings, including through-hole diameter, outer diameter, thickness, surface finish, and geometry, tailored for precision instruments, semiconductor equipment, and aerospace applications.
Core Advantages
1. Ultra-High Hardness & Wear Resistance
- Mohs hardness 9 (second only to diamond)
- Minimal wear under continuous rotation
- Maintains precision over long service life
Ideal for high-speed and long-duration operation
2. Exceptional Precision Performance
- Hole tolerance: ±0.005 – 0.02 mm
- Surface roughness: Ra < 0.02 μm
- High flatness and parallelism
Ensures smooth rotation and low friction
3. Cleanroom & Contamination-Free
- No metal debris or particle shedding
- Chemically inert (acid/alkali resistant)
- Suitable for semiconductor environments
Perfect for vacuum & ultra-clean systems
4. High Temperature Stability
- Stable up to 1000°C+ working conditions
- No deformation or performance degradation
5. Flexible Customization
- Through-hole diameter, OD, thickness
- Chamfering, countersink, stepped holes
- Polished / matte / hybrid surfaces
- Ruby / transparent / blue sapphire options
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Single Crystal Al₂O₃ (Sapphire) |
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 1 – 50 mm |
| Inner Diameter (ID) | 0.2 – 20 mm |
| Thickness | 0.2 – 10 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.005 – 0.02 mm |
| Flatness | ≤ 0.005 mm |
| Surface Roughness | < 0.02 μm |
| Hardness | Mohs 9 |
| Density | 3.97 g/cm³ |
| Surface Finish | Polished / Matte / Hybrid |
| Color Options | Transparent / Ruby / Blue |
Manufacturing Process
Precision Drilling
- Ultrasonic drilling / laser drilling
- Clean hole edges, no micro-cracks
Double-Side Lapping & Polishing
- Optical-grade flatness and surface finish
- Improved friction performance
CNC Profiling
- Custom outer shapes and tolerances
- High consistency for batch production
Applications
Sapphire through-hole bearings are widely used in:
- Optical instruments (gimbals, scanners, laser modules)
- Precision measurement devices (dial indicators, micro-motion systems)
- Semiconductor equipment (positioning & guiding parts)
- Medical devices (micro pumps, analyzers)
- Aerospace systems (lightweight precision structures)
- Luxury watches (jewel bearings for ultra-low friction)
Why Sapphire Instead of Metal Bearings
| Feature | Sapphire | Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
| Friction | Ultra-low | Higher |
| Cleanroom Compatibility | Yes | No |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Limited |
| Service Life | Very Long | Shorter |
Why Choose FUYAO Quartz ?
- 10+ years sapphire precision machining experience
- In-house crystal processing & polishing
- Optical-grade inspection (interferometer, CMM)
- Fast prototyping available
- Stable mass production capability
FAQ
Q1: What is the smallest hole size you can achieve?
A: We can produce micro through-holes down to 0.2 mm, depending on thickness and aspect ratio.
Q2: Can you customize complex hole shapes?
A: Yes, including stepped holes, tapered holes, and special geometries.
Q3: Are ruby bearings available?
A: Yes, ruby and blue sapphire options are available for different applications.
Q4: Can sapphire replace traditional bearings?
A: In high-precision, low-friction, and clean environments, sapphire bearings significantly outperform metal and standard ceramic bearings.
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