Wear-resistant alumina ceramic tees tailored for diverting or combining flows

Alumina ceramic lined tees are the most popular and cost-effective industrial solution for high-wear diverting/merging conditions. They perfectly combine the extreme wear resistance of alumina ceramic with the mechanical strength and toughness of metal.

Alumina Ceramic Lined Tees

To balance performance, cost, and reliability, alumina ceramic tees are primarily available in two structures:

1. Integrally sintered alumina ceramic tees

• Features: The entire tee is isostatically pressed or injection molded, then sintered at high temperature in a single pass, resulting in a uniform structure.
• Advantages: Purest performance, optimal wear and corrosion resistance, no seams, and no chance of falling apart.
• Disadvantages: Extremely brittle, with poor mechanical and thermal shock resistance, requiring extremely demanding installation and high cost.
• Applications: Primarily used in applications where metal contamination is highly unacceptable (such as semiconductors and lithium battery materials), or where both high corrosion and wear are present. Typically smaller in diameter.

2. Ceramic-lined composite tee (most popular and commonly used)

• Features: A durable carbon steel or stainless steel outer shell and a wear-resistant alumina ceramic inner lining. The ceramic lining can be integrally centrifugally cast or bonded with ceramic patches.
• Good toughness: The metal outer shell provides excellent resistance to mechanical shock and deformation.
• Easy installation: The outer shell is pre-welded with a standard metal flange (or other interface) for direct bolt connection to the piping system, similar to traditional pipe fittings.
• Cost-effective: The overall manufacturing cost is significantly lower than that of a solid ceramic tee, making it the preferred choice for industrial applications.
• Applications: Most industrial sectors, including power generation, mining, cement, and chemicals.

How to choose an alumina ceramic tee?

• Material: Depending on the degree of wear and corrosion, choose a liner with a 95%, or 99% alumina content.
• Structure: Ceramic-lined composite tees are preferred unless special anti-contamination measures are required.
• Interface matching: It is necessary to ensure that the flange standard (such as GB, ANSI, DIN), diameter (DN), and pressure level (PN) of the tee are fully matched with the upstream and downstream pipelines.

Alumina ceramic tees are the ultimate solution for addressing severe wear at the diversion/merging points of piping systems. They sacrifice themselves (replaceable components) to protect the long-term safe operation of the entire piping system. While the initial purchase cost is relatively high, the combined economic benefits of long life, low maintenance costs, and reduced downtime are significant.