Ceramics

ERI’s PX devices have only one moving part. The heart of the PX device is a high purity aluminum oxide rotor, turning at up to 1,000 rpm in an almost frictionless hydrodynamic bearing. This ceramic material is unaffected by chemicals or aqueous corrosion, is three times harder than steel, and provides unmatched durability in the PX application.

ERI has developed manufacturing capabilities and expertise that range from working with high alloy stainless steels and exotic metals, such as super–austenitic and super duplex stainless steel and titanium, to the synthesis and precision machining of ceramics.

Creating advanced ceramics components requires specialized equipment, a fully equipped materials lab, and optimized processes. Custom formulated spray-dried powders are compacted at extreme pressures to create the machineable blocks that become rotors.  The lengthy sintering process occurs at temperatures greater than 1600°C and eventually achieves a hardness of Mohs 9.0 in a material chemically identical to sapphire. Once the ceramics have been properly formed, they are cooled slowly and evenly to avoid cracking. This overall process is critical to achieve a smooth hard surface, which will sustain many years of operation in a harsh seawater environment.