At International Syalons Ltd, each of our silicon nitride-based ceramic grades are manufactured onsite from high purity raw materials, and every batch is rigorously analysed using various testing methods, ensuring we continue to produce high quality engineering components.
Industrial components rarely experience chemical exposure, mechanical stress, or thermal load in isolation. In most operating environments, these forces act together, shaping how materials degrade and how industrial systems fail. Corrosive media accelerate wear mechanisms, abrasion exposes chemically reactive surfaces, and temperature variation accelerates both processes. The challenge for engineers lies not in addressing any one stress, but in selecting materials that remain stable under hybrid loads, where multiple degradation mechanisms act simultaneously. Corrosion-resistant ceramics, particularly ceramic-based ‘alloy’ systems, offer robust performance in response to hybrid loads when their chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and thermal stability are aligned with the combined service demands.
Careful consideration must be given to the materials that are employed in chlorine-rich environments, as chlorine gas (Cl₂), chloride vapours, and molten chloride salts behave very differently from more familiar corrosive species. Even materials known for their excellent chemical resistance in industrial settings can respond unpredictably once temperatures rise. This contrast becomes especially clear when comparing graphite with advanced technical ceramics, which undergo markedly different chemical and structural changes when exposed to chlorine.
Cross-contamination poses a constant challenge to industries where purity and consistency are critical, such as food processing, pharmaceutical packaging, polymer extrusion, and medical device manufacturing. Residues, microbial growth, or wear particles from one production run can compromise the next, risking product quality, regulatory compliance, and costly downtime. Because cross-contamination often stems from the condition of the tooling, attention naturally turns to the forming dies used in many hygiene-critical processes. Their precision and surface integrity determine the level of clean, reliable operation that can be sustained between production runs.
A range of industrial processes depend on chlorine for their effective operation, including chemical synthesis, water treatment, polymer production, and metal refining. However, its extreme reactivity poses significant challenges for long-term safety and material reliability. When chlorine combines with moisture or heat, it produces hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids that corrode even high-performance metals and polymers. This aggressive behaviour generates harsh operating environments where corrosion can lead to leakage, contamination, and costly equipment failure. Choosing the right chemical-resistant materials for chlorine-based industrial conditions is therefore vital to ensure process safety, reliability, and long-term performance.
Cleanliness, consistency, and regulatory compliance are key standards in the food industry, serving as non-negotiable requirements that must be met to minimise contamination risks, ensure efficient operations, and protect product integrity. From the machinery that processes food to the packaging that preserves it, food and beverage manufacturers require materials that are hygienic, durable, and thermally stable. One of these materials is aluminium, a metal valued for its versatility, corrosion resistance, and thermal performance, qualities that are harnessed through casting to produce food-grade components with precision and reliability.
Producing structural components, such as aluminium window and door frames, copper pipe and wiring, and roof structures requires manufacturing methods that deliver high dimensional accuracy and surface integrity. One such technique for shaping structural components is extrusion, and at the heart of the extrusion process is the die. Manufacturers use ceramic extrusion dies to produce precise, repeatable profiles that retain their accuracy and surface quality over long production runs, even when processing highly abrasive or chemically aggressive feedstocks. Their wear and corrosion resistance, dimensional and thermal stability, and smooth surface finish make them particularly valuable for generating structural components that must maintain exact geometry, defect-free surfaces, and consistent performance under demanding service conditions.
Achieving consistent quality in automotive castings begins with controlling the melt. Whether forming engine blocks or structural EV components, maintaining a uniform temperature and composition in the molten metal is essential for avoiding defects and ensuring performance. Thermocouples provide the necessary temperature data used to regulate furnace conditions, coordinate alloying and degassing steps, and control the timing of casting operations, but in harsh molten environments, they rely on thermocouple protection tubes for accurate, long-term operation. When made from silicon nitride and Sialon, thermocouple protection tubes offer the durability and resistance needed to support precise thermal control and ensure consistent melt conditions.
Low-pressure die casting (LPDC) is a controlled manufacturing method used to produce lightweight, high-strength aluminium car parts including wheels, engine blocks, and suspension components. The process works by applying low air pressure to move molten aluminium from a sealed holding furnace into a steel mold, allowing for accurate filling and minimal porosity. Central to this system is the riser tube, which ensures a clean, steady transfer of metal from furnace to mold. Sialon riser tubes, made from silicon nitride-based ceramics, are particularly well suited to the demands of low-pressure die casting thanks to their resistance to heat, corrosion, and mechanical wear. These properties help maintain stable casting conditions and consistent part quality across production cycles.
Aluminium engine block parts are foundational to the construction of internal combustion engines, providing structural integrity and housing for critical components such as cylinders, bearings, and coolant passages. Yet, consistently casting these parts at scale without compromising quality or cost-efficiency remains a manufacturing challenge. One powerful yet underutilised strategy for improving the casting process is the integration of advanced ceramics, specifically sialon and silicon nitride, into key stages of the workflow. Used strategically, these materials can stabilise the casting process, reduce operational costs, and enhance output quality under the rigorous demands of aluminium engine block part production.
Every car on the road is the result of thousands of engineering decisions, some visible and others buried deep within the chassis. Among these, one of the most fundamental choices is how each component is manufactured. Although often overlooked, the decision to manufacture a component from cast or billet aluminium carries long-term consequences for performance, production speed, and cost.
Aluminium has become vital in automotive design, valued for its ability to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity. But how it’s processed shapes its final properties. Casting and billet machining offer two very different routes to the same destination: a finished component ready to be bolted into a vehicle.