Industrial Ceramic Tubes & Pipes for High-Temperature and Harsh Environments

Ceramic tubes maintain stiffness, dimensional stability and electrical insulation far above the service limit of most alloys, and they are more resistant to oxidation, carburization and many corrosive gases. However, ceramics are brittle and less tolerant of impact or bending, so correct support, installation clearances and controlled thermal gradients are required to avoid fracture.

For industrial tubes, typical as-fired wall-thickness tolerances are around ±0.3–0.5 mm, while ground or machined tubes can reach ±0.05–0.1 mm on OD or ID depending on size and length. Straightness and ovality are controlled through extrusion tooling, sintering supports and post-grinding, and should be specified together with length and fit requirements in the drawing.

• Raw Material Preparation
  Fine alumina, zirconia, BN or SiC powders are milled, blended and conditioned to achieve the particle size, purity and flow needed for extrusion or pressing.

• Forming the Ceramic Pipe
  The prepared body is extruded or isostatically pressed into ceramic tubes and pipes, controlling inner diameter, outer diameter and wall thickness along the full length.

• Drying and Pre-Firing
  Formed tubes are slowly dried and may be pre-fired to remove moisture and binders, reducing the risk of cracking or distortion during high-temperature sintering.

• High-Temperature Sintering
  Tubes are fired in programmable kilns at carefully controlled ramp rates and soak times so the ceramic microstructure densifies and develops strength and thermal-shock resistance.

• Finishing and Machining
  After sintering, ceramic tubes are ground or machined to final ID, OD and length, and special features such as flanges, threads or closed ends are added where required.

• Inspection and Packaging
  Each ceramic tube and pipe is visually inspected for cracks and chips, key dimensions are checked, and parts are packed in protective sleeves and crates for export.

If you share your drawing and operating conditions, ADCERAX can recommend a manufacturable ceramic tube design and guide you on the most suitable production route and inspection level.

• 1. Match the pipe to the application
  Choose a ceramic pipe with suitable material (e.g. alumina, SiC), inner diameter, wall thickness and length based on temperature, atmosphere, media (gas, powder, slurry) and any internal pressure.

• 2. Design proper supports and housings
  Mount the ceramic pipe in cradles, sleeves or frames that support its weight along the length, avoid point loads and allow free thermal expansion relative to metal parts.

• 3. Use compatible seals and fittings
  Select gaskets, packing and end fittings rated for the same temperature and chemistry as the ceramic pipe, and avoid excessive tightening that could create local stress or bending.

• 4. Control heating and cooling rates
  Bring the system up to temperature and cool it down gradually so the ceramic pipe is not exposed to sudden temperature shocks or large gradients between inside and outside.

• 5. Avoid impact and misalignment
  Protect the pipe from mechanical impact, vibration and misaligned connections, and do not use it as a lever or support for other components.

• 6. Inspect and maintain regularly
  During shutdowns, check ends and accessible sections for cracks, chips and erosion. Replace damaged ceramic pipes before they are returned to high-temperature or high-stress service.

In most cases you should avoid thermal shock and aggressive mechanical tools, and combine dry cleaning, compatible chemistry and controlled rinsing. A typical maintenance approach is:

1. Start with dry cleaning if possible
   Use compressed air, soft brushes or non-metallic scrapers to remove loose dust, scale and powder. Avoid hitting or levering on the ceramic to prevent chipping.

2. Select a compatible cleaning medium
   Choose solvents or cleaners based on the deposits, not on habit:

   • For oils and organic residues, use suitable industrial detergents or solvents approved for your process.

   • For inorganic scale or oxide deposits, use mild acidic or alkaline cleaners that are compatible with the ceramic and any metallic fittings.
     Always check that the chemistry will not attack glazes, metallised layers or seals.

3. Control temperature and thermal shock
   Never flush a hot ceramic pipe with cold liquid or vice versa. Allow the pipe to cool to a safe, moderate temperature, then apply cleaning fluids, or preheat the fluid if needed to reduce temperature gradients.

4. Use moderate mechanical action
   If brushing or swabbing inside the ceramic pipe, use soft or medium-bristle tools with plastic or fibre heads, not metal wire brushes that can scratch or create stress risers.

5. Rinse and dry thoroughly
   After chemical cleaning, rinse the ceramic pipe with compatible clean water or solvent to remove residues. Dry slowly with warm air or by controlled heating so moisture does not remain trapped, especially in closed-end or multi-bore sections.

6. Inspect before putting back into service
   Check ends, flanges and any threaded sections for chips, cracks or glaze damage. If you see radial cracks, deep scoring or large chips, replace the component rather than returning it to high-temperature or high-pressure service.

If cleaning cycles are frequent, it is worth discussing deposit type, temperature and gas or liquid composition with the ceramic supplier so material selection, surface finish and geometry can be optimised to reduce build-up and make future cleaning easier.

Yes, industrial ceramic pipes are generally safe when the material is correctly matched to the temperature, atmosphere and media. High-purity ceramics are chemically inert and low-contamination; the main safety point is to install and support them properly, as ceramics are brittle and must not be overloaded or subjected to severe impact or thermal shock.

Cutting a ceramic tube must be done carefully to avoid cracking or chipping. In many cases, it is safer and more economical to order tubes to finished length, but if cutting on site is unavoidable, follow these principles:

• 1. Choose the right tool
  Use diamond tooling only: a diamond cut-off wheel on an angle grinder or tile saw, or a diamond-coated tube cutter designed for ceramics and glass. Avoid standard metal saw blades, which can shock or chip the tube.

• 2. Support the tube properly
  Support the ceramic tube along its length and close to the cut line using soft pads or V-blocks. Do not allow the tube to hang freely or rest on a single hard point; this concentrates stress and encourages cracking.

• 3. Mark and score the cut line
  Mark the cut position clearly. Where possible, lightly score around the full circumference with a diamond scribe or the edge of the wheel so the cut starts evenly and does not wander.

• 4. Use light pressure and steady feed
  Start the cut slowly, with low to moderate pressure. Let the diamond do the work; forcing the tool increases vibration and shock. Rotate the tube gradually (if possible) to cut from multiple sides rather than sawing straight through one point.

• 5. Control dust and temperature
  Use water cooling or dust extraction where allowed to reduce dust and local heating. Avoid rapid heating and cooling of the tube section; excessive thermal shock can cause radial cracks.

• 6. Deburr and smooth the edges
  After cutting, lightly grind or sand the cut edge with a fine diamond file or pad to remove sharp chips and micro-cracks, which could act as starting points for failure in service.

Whenever possible, define the required finished length, tolerances and quantity in your drawing so the ceramic tube manufacturer can supply parts already cut and finished under controlled conditions.

Alumina ceramic tubes are the default choice for general high-temperature, electrically insulating duties up to roughly 1,600–1,700 °C in suitable atmospheres. Zirconia tubes are preferred where small diameters must carry mechanical load or impact (bushings, guide sleeves), thanks to higher toughness. Silicon carbide pipes and radiant tubes are selected when extreme thermal shock, high heat flux or severe abrasion and corrosive flue gases are present.

Ceramic thermocouple tubes create a stable barrier between the sensing wires and the furnace atmosphere or molten metal, reducing chemical attack, grain growth and mechanical damage. This extends sensor life, reduces drift, and allows maintenance teams to replace thermocouples without disturbing refractory linings, which improves calibration consistency and reduces downtime.

Single-bore tubes are used as process tubes, guide sleeves or general insulating components. Multi-bore tubes route several conductors, thermocouple legs or small fluid channels in one compact, electrically isolated component. One-end-closed tubes are chosen when the hot end must be sealed—for example, thermocouple protection in molten metal, burner nozzles or gas sampling lances.

Standard ceramic tube sizes held in stock can usually be shipped within a short time after order confirmation and packaging. Custom tubes require tooling, process validation and sintering cycles, so lead times depend on length, quantity, material and machining complexity; prototype batches are often produced first, followed by scheduled series production once the design is frozen.

Large diameter ceramic pipes are usually not off-the-shelf retail items; they are supplied by specialized industrial ceramic tube manufacturers. ADCERAX is a China ceramic tube manufacturer that produces large diameter ceramic pipes and ceramic lined pipes in alumina and other engineering ceramics for furnaces, burners and abrasive or corrosive process lines.

You can buy large diameter ceramic pipes by sending ADCERAX your basic requirements—material, inner and outer diameter, length, operating temperature, media and expected quantity—so the engineering team can confirm a feasible design, quote pricing and define lead time for production and export.

Yes. ADCERAX is a China ceramic tube manufacturer supplying industrial ceramic pipes and ceramic tubes for sale in alumina, silicon carbide, zirconia and other engineering ceramics. We offer stocked standard sizes for maintenance and small projects, and custom ceramic tubes and pipes produced to your drawings for OEM and high-temperature industrial applications.

Industrial thermocouple ceramic tubes are not sold from a fixed ceramic tubes pricelist, because price depends on material (alumina grade, etc.), tube size (ID, OD, length), wall thickness, bore structure (single or multi-bore), quantity and inspection level.

Instead, ADCERAX prepares a tailored quotation for each specification. If you share your thermocouple tube sizes, material requirement, expected quantity and working temperature, we can quickly provide itemized pricing and recommended options rather than a generic price table that may not match your real application.