Q-Mark Product Spotlight: Silicon Nitride Spheres

SILICON NITRIDE BALLS

What is silicon nitride?

Silicon nitride is an extremely hard hybrid ceramic (Si3N4) with a very low coefficient of friction.  It’s used in high-speed spindle bearings and aircraft flap actuators to provide longer service life in demanding environments.

Why are silicon nitride styli better than ruby styli?

When ruby balls touch soft materials - aluminum, for example - they tend to accumulate tiny bits of the material on the ball.  Over time, this build-up of metal on the ball can result in measurement errors.  When this happens, the stylus must be discarded.

When ruby balls are used on hard or abrasive materials, they can develop flat spots caused by wear.  When a flat spot appears, the stylus must be discarded.

Silicon nitride has a significantly lower coefficient of friction than ruby.  It's extremely hard, too - about 78 Rc.  Therefore, silicon nitride balls exhibit less wear and don't tend to accumulate material on their surface like ruby balls. Our clients report up to 5 times longer tool life in demanding applications using silicon nitride balls instead of ruby.