TechBlog

CRYSTEX Composites

Mykroy/Mycalex (MM) Glass bonded mica material is a trade name of CRYSTEX Composites LLC. Since 1921, Mykroy/Mycalex composite remains the most versatile and efficient electrical and thermal-insulating materials refined to meet the exacting demands of technical markets. MM material is the only mineral, fully inorganic material, to bridge the performance gap between organic plastics and mineral ceramics. Mykroy/Mycalex material is a union, under simultaneous pressure and heat, of finely powdered electrical quality glass and precisely defined and classified mica. The resulting stone-like, dense ceramic, inherits all the insulating advantages of both constituents. It can be easily machined to close tolerances or transfer molded into intricate shapes with or without metal inserts. MM material is impervious to moisture, and does not outgas under high temperature or in vacuum environments. It manifests exceptional dimensional stability even at high temperature. It does not burn or carbonize and has an unlimited shelf life.

Unique in the United States, CRYSTEX Composites LLC has produced its own Synthetic Mica since 1955.

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PREMATECH ADVANCED CERAMICS combines the highest level of service with an extensive knowledge of ceramic machining. A truly scientific approach is applied to the process to maintain consistency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

Sample List of Materials Machined

• Aluminum Nitride
• Aluminum Oxide
• Boron Nitride
• Cemented Carbide
• CMC / MMC Composites
• Cordierite
• CVD Silicon Carbide
• Ferrites
• Hexoloy ®
• Hot Pressed Silicon Carbide
• Hot Pressed Silicon Nitride
• Macor ®
• Quartz
• Reaction Bonded Silicon Carbide
• Reaction bonded Silicon Nitride
• Ruby
• Sapphire
• Zirconium Oxide

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Microcantilever actuators made from carbon nanotube (CNT)-polymer composites could dramatically improve the performance of microelectromechanical systems, according to scientists in Taiwan. The researchers from National Tsing Hua University have developed an easy to actuate material that rapidly suppresses unwanted oscillations thanks to a low quality factor.

“Lightweight and highly flexible CNT-composites provide fast electrothermo-actuation at low power,” Weileun Fang told nanotechweb.org. “Moving the actuator from its original position to its pull-in position can be employed to define two different states such as 0/1 or on/off, which suits many applications in communications and displays.”

The group’s nanocomposite device has a pull-in voltage of just 50?V for a full deflection of 560?µm. As Fang explains, this value is very low compared with existing microcantilevers, which can demand at least 500?V to achieve a similar displacement. The researchers believe that CNT-based field amplification is responsible for the low pull-in voltage.

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Design Results:

• Additive fabrication method builds engine reed valve from CAD data without toolmaking, molding and machining of developmental prototypes.

• New sinterable, powdered materials have sufficient structural properties to enable rapid manufacturing of finished valve components.

• Two-piece part design expedites testing, simplifies tuning of reed valve for racing performance.

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