Materials for Metrological Use
The Microplan® Group, a leader in the production of precision granite bases and components, conducts continuous research into innovative materials that enable ultra-precise machining. The use of ceramic materials such as Alumina (Aluminum Oxide) and Silicon Carbide (SiC and Si-SiC) makes it possible to manufacture custom components that are ground and lapped with high precision, achieving tight tolerances for flatness, straightness, and parallelism.
African Black Granite
Thanks to its unique properties, African black granite is widely used in the field of measuring instruments—both standard tools (such as surface plates, straightedges, squares, cubes, etc.) and in the construction of structures and bases for coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), machine tools, optical systems, and microelectronics equipment.
GNU Absolute Black Granite
GNU is the new absolute black granite used by Microplan® Group for the production of high-precision structures. It features improved mechanical properties, greater dimensional stability, enhanced geometric accuracy, excellent flatness results, superior surface finish, lower porosity, and outstanding aesthetic appearance and material homogeneity.
Lanhelin Blue Granite
A natural material originating from northern France, used by the Microplan® Group for the production of large-size bases and measuring benches (over 5 meters). Thanks to the proximity of the quarry to the French site and the availability of large blocks, it is possible to achieve economic advantages in terms of transport and raw material procurement times.
Silicon carbide (Si-SiC)
thanks to its unique properties—such as high hardness, elastic modulus, low thermal expansion coefficient, minimal porosity, and exceptional stiffness—is particularly suitable for the manufacturing of precision sliding guides, spindles, and high-precision instruments, as well as for frictionless motion systems using air bearing technology.
Alumina Ceramic
Alumina ceramic, or Aluminium Oxide (Al₂O₃), produced at our French facility, is used in the manufacturing of high-precision measuring instruments (Nanoline Series), particularly for small to medium-sized components (up to 2500 mm in length), thanks to its outstanding material properties.
Celith – Composite Granite
Composite granite, also known as mineral casting (CELITH), is a mixture of granite aggregates of various grain sizes and epoxy resin. This innovative material enables the casting of machine tool bases — even in large sizes and with complex shapes — while significantly reducing production costs. CELITH offers excellent vibration damping, providing major advantages over traditional materials such as cast iron and steel.