30 August 2023 – Ceramics specialist from East Thuringia expands production capacities in metallization to optimally meet constantly growing customer requirements in the future.
QSIL Ceramics GmbH, a leading manufacturer of advanced ceramics, is making a significant investment in an expansion building. With a total volume of 4 million euros, this step significantly strengthens production capacities. The most important goal of the construction measure is to continue to enable the highest quality standards for ceramic-metal brazing assemblies or even to exceed them. The company, based in Auma-Weidatal, is thus setting the course for a successful future in various markets, such as imaging diagnostics.
The extension covers an area of approximately 1,200 square meters. Of these, around 800 square meters are specifically earmarked for clean rooms. In this way, QSIL Ceramics aims to meet the ever-increasing customer requirements. In addition, the company intends to further strengthen its position as a pioneer in the manufacture of advanced ceramics.
Metallization processes require highest purity
QSIL’s distinct performance and over 50 years of experience in metallizing ceramics sets it apart from its competitors. In metallization, a special metal paste is applied to the ceramic base body and baked in a hydrogen atmosphere. The resulting and firmly adhering metal layer enables the ceramic to be soldered to metal components. These ceramic-to-metal solder assemblies impress with their particularly high adhesive strength of the ceramic-to-metal bond. They also meet the requirements for high-vacuum (high-pressure) tight components and are used, for example, in power electronics. As these connections can withstand high temperatures and electrical voltages, they are used, for example, in the production of used as insulators in X-ray tubes.
The basic prerequisite for the functioning of the metallization process is absolute cleanliness and purity when applying the metal layer to the ceramic. Contamination would cause the ceramic-to-metal joints to not hold adequately or to leak. A significant part of the investment sum, around 1 million euros, will consequently be invested in state-of-the-art cleanroom technology. By producing under cleanroom conditions, QSIL increases product quality and optimizes product purity.
Trusted partner for ceramic solutions
“Our investment in the expansion building and especially in cleanroom technology reflects our commitment to the highest quality and customer satisfaction,” says Jaime Schmitt, Managing Director of QSIL Ceramics GmbH. “This move will allow us to solidify our position as a trusted partner for advanced performance ceramics while creating new opportunities for innovation.”
The extension is both a visible sign of the company’s growth in recent years and of its determination to keep exceeding customers’ high expectations, thereby securing jobs at the Auma site in the long term. Management is confident that the investment will help extend QSIL Ceramics’ leadership position in the industry and maximize opportunities for future advancements.
About QSIL Ceramics GmbH
QSIL Ceramics GmbH is a traditional and at the same time future-oriented, internationally active company based in Auma-Weidatal, Thuringia/Germany and since 2019 part of the QSIL Group. For more than 110 years, the company has been engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of products made of technical ceramics. Today, it offers its clientele a wide range of modern high-performance oxide ceramic materials. Various system solutions made of metal-ceramic compounds are also part of the portfolio.
The company sells ceramic components from its own production worldwide and is particularly successful in diagnostics, medical technology, plant and mechanical engineering, measurement and control technology, the life science sector and safety technology.
About QSIL Group
QSIL is a leading international specialist for high-performance materials – in particular for high-purity quartz and specialty glass, sophisticated engineering ceramics and extremely resistant refractory metals.
Thanks to comprehensive materials and technology expertise, the Group is able to offer its customers the complete range of high-performance materials for mission critical solutions in the semiconductor, medical technology, aerospace, mechanical engineering, fiber optics and specialty lighting industries. With over 1,000 employees at nine production sites inside and outside Germany, QSIL generates annual sales of around 200 million euros. The dynamically growing company is active in more than 50 countries. Customers include major companies from Europe, Asia and America.
