Sapphire & Ruby Nozzles

Precision sapphire and ruby nozzles for gas, air flow, wafer cleaning, inkjet, dispensing and stable jet applications.

Microwork supplies custom sapphire and ruby nozzles for applications where a longer inner-diameter-to-length ratio, stable flow path, wear resistance and long service life are required.

Sapphire and ruby nozzles are often selected when metal nozzles cannot maintain hole geometry, surface finish or wear performance over long-term use. Synthetic sapphire and ruby provide excellent hardness, chemical stability and polishability, allowing micro-hole and nozzle features to maintain dimensional stability in demanding flow applications.

These nozzles can be used as loose inserts, mounted nozzle elements, sapphire-to-metal or ruby-to-metal assemblies, or custom precision components based on drawing and system requirements.

Typical Applications

Common applications include:

• Gas and air flow control
• Wafer jet cutting and cleaning
• Inkjet printing and dispensing
• Precision liquid jet applications
• Cleaning nozzles
• Analytical instrument flow paths
• Medical and laboratory fluidic systems
• Pneumatic and pressure control systems
• Micro spray and micro dispensing systems

Typical Nozzle Types

Available nozzle types may include:

• Sapphire nozzles
• Ruby nozzles
• Straight-hole nozzles
• Long-ID nozzles
• Micro-hole nozzles
• Mounted sapphire or ruby nozzle inserts
• Sapphire-to-metal nozzle assemblies
• Ruby-to-metal nozzle assemblies
• Custom nozzle geometries based on drawing

Custom hole diameter, length, inlet geometry, outlet geometry, surface finish and mounting method can be reviewed according to your application.

Typical Specifications

Material: Synthetic sapphire or ruby / single-crystal Al2O3

Nozzle type: Sapphire nozzle, ruby nozzle, straight-hole nozzle, long-ID nozzle, mounted nozzle or custom assembly

Hole geometry: Straight hole, long ID, tapered inlet, chamfered inlet or custom geometry

Hole diameter: Custom micro-hole size available upon drawing review

Length-to-diameter ratio: Reviewed according to hole size, flow requirement and manufacturability

Outer diameter: Custom OD available according to mounting or housing design

Thickness / length: Custom thickness or nozzle length available depending on flow path requirement

Tolerance: Custom tolerance available upon drawing review

Surface finish: Fine ground or polished working surfaces available depending on application

Edge condition: Sharp edge, chamfered edge or rounded inlet available depending on flow and durability requirements

Mounting: Loose insert, press-fit, bonded, metal-mounted or custom assembly

Application: Gas, air, liquid, wafer cleaning, inkjet, dispensing, analytical or precision jet use


Long-ID Nozzle Design

Sapphire and ruby nozzles are useful when a longer inner-diameter-to-length ratio is required. A longer flow path may help control jet direction, stabilize flow or meet specific system geometry requirements.

However, long-ID micro-hole features are more difficult to manufacture than short orifice jewels. Hole diameter, hole length, straightness, surface finish, inlet edge, outlet edge and tolerance should be reviewed carefully during design.

For very small hole diameters or high aspect-ratio nozzles, manufacturability, inspection method, yield and cost should be evaluated before production.

Sapphire and Ruby vs Metal Nozzles

Compared with many metal nozzles, sapphire and ruby nozzles offer higher hardness, better wear resistance and more stable micro-hole geometry during long-term use.

Metal nozzles may be easier to machine and lower cost for large or simple holes. Sapphire and ruby are preferred when the nozzle must resist wear, maintain a polished flow path, reduce dimensional drift or operate in chemically aggressive environments.

Engineering Considerations

When designing a sapphire or ruby nozzle, engineers should consider hole diameter, length-to-diameter ratio, inlet geometry, outlet geometry, edge condition, surface finish, flow medium, pressure, filtration level, mounting method and operating environment.

For wafer cleaning, inkjet, dispensing or precision jet applications, flow stability depends on hole geometry, inner wall quality, inlet condition, outlet condition and cleanliness. Particulate contamination, insufficient filtration or rough internal surfaces may affect jet direction, clogging risk and service life.

For metal-mounted nozzle assemblies, fit tolerance, concentricity, bonding method, press-fit stress and thermal expansion mismatch between the jewel and housing should be reviewed carefully.

Sharp edges, very thin walls, extremely tight tolerances, high-pressure conditions or abrasive media can increase the risk of chipping, cracking, clogging or reduced nozzle life.

Information Needed for Quotation

To review a custom sapphire or ruby nozzle, please provide:

• Drawing or sketch
• Material requirement: sapphire or ruby
• Hole diameter and tolerance
• Nozzle length or thickness
• Length-to-diameter ratio requirement, if specified
• Inlet and outlet geometry
• Edge condition requirement
• Surface finish requirement
• Flow medium: gas, air, water, ink, solvent or other liquid
• Working pressure and temperature
• Mounting method or housing material
• Quantity and inspection requirement

Need a Custom Sapphire or Ruby Nozzle?

Send us your drawing, hole diameter, nozzle length, flow medium, pressure, edge condition and mounting requirement. We can help review manufacturability, material suitability and key technical risks before quotation.