OVER 80 YEARS OF IN-DEPTH EXPERIENCE

Though ceramic articles have been manufactured since ancient times, the history of high-performance ceramics actually starts in the 20th century. ESK has grown with this history and helped to shape it. That is the basis of our profound understanding of materials and knowledge, which yields significant advantages for our customers.

Around 1900, there is the start of systematic and scientific study of technical ceramics in Germany.

1922: Establishment of Elektroschmelzwerk Kempten (ESK)

1925: Start of silicon carbide production in Kempten

1940: Boron carbide produced for the first time

1962: Production of mixed ceramics for metallization starts

1972: Functional coatings with nickel-diamond starts

1977: The first silicon and boron carbide parts are produced by pressureless sintering

1979: The world’s first hot isostatic press is brought on stream for manufacturing
           non-oxide ceramics at temperatures over 1900°C

2001: Two heated presses with the world’s biggest press force to date of 600 metric
           tons are brought on stream

2005: Development of laser-structured surfaces for components

2006: Development of a new material based on titanium diboride (TiB₂)