Characteristics of Sapphire Material
In microphone products
Sapphire gasket
Belonging to high-precision components, sapphire is widely used in various scenarios due to its unique material properties. Specifically, sapphire material has the following characteristics that are highly suitable for the needs of high-end gasket products:
Sapphire (alumina single crystal) has a Mohs hardness of 9, second only to diamond, and has excellent wear resistance, which can maintain a smooth surface for a long time.
2、 Good chemical stability
Sapphire material has good corrosion resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and is suitable for harsh environments such as high humidity and corrosive gases.
3、 Strong thermal stability
Sapphire material has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and small deformation under temperature changes, making it suitable for high-precision equipment.
Some sapphire pads may be used for optical microphone components (such as laser vibration measurement systems).
Sapphire in various application scenarios of microphones
Diaphragm support/sealing gasket:Used for high-end condenser microphones to reduce vibration interference and improve sound purity.
Precision structural components:As a wear-resistant isolation or positioning component in micro MEMS microphones.
Special environment microphone:Sealing or protection of microphones in extreme environments such as industry, aerospace, etc.
*The picture shows a miniature MEMS microphone
Comparison of alternative materials
Metal gasket (such as titanium alloy):Low cost and good impact resistance, but may introduce electromagnetic interference.
Polymer gasket (such as PEEK):Lightweight and shock-absorbing, but poor temperature resistance and wear resistance.
Ceramic gasket:Balancing cost-effectiveness, but with lower hardness than sapphire.
frequently asked questions
Q： Is the sapphire pad used for consumer grade microphones?
A： Commonly seen in high-end professional equipment or special industrial applications, consumer grade products are adopted due to their lower cost.
Q： How to determine if a sapphire gasket is needed?
A： If the microphone needs to work in high temperature, high wear or ultra precision environments, it can be considered for use.
In addition to the above review, the use of sapphire pads can ensure the performance of microphones. Specifically, there are these advantages:1.Extend microphone lifespanReduce performance degradation caused by wear and tear;2. Improve the stability of microphone signalsReduce mechanical noise;3. Suitable for miniaturization design(High hardness allows for thinner designs).
But at the same time, there are objectively some risks and challenges. for examplehigh costThe main difficulty lies in the processing of sapphire material, which requires laser cutting and precision polishing; There is also the brittleness of sapphire itself. Although sapphire material has extremely high hardness, its impact resistance is weak,Special anti fall design is required.
*The image is sourced from online materials 
*New Source Optical Sectionsapphireapplication area 
*The picture shows a sapphire microphone pad customized by a cooperative customer of Xinyuan Optics 
