Steatite Ceramic

Magnesium silicate ceramic valued for high-frequency electrical insulation.

Core Principles & Analysis

• It is fired from compacted talc with clay and feldspar fluxes, converting in the kiln to crystalline enstatite (MgSiO3).
• Low dielectric loss at radio frequencies made low-alkali steatite the standard insulator for 20th-century tube sockets, standoffs, and coil forms.
• It dry-presses cheaply and holds tight tolerances, so it persists in high-volume thermostat housings, heater bodies, and welding nozzles.

Specifications & Metrics

• DENSITY: 2.70 g/cm³
• YIELD STRENGTH: 140 MPa (flexural)
• HARDNESS: 6.5 Mohs