Ceramics in precision equipment possess both metallic and stone-like properties; how to choose?

Precision Equipment: Material Selection Comparison of Ceramics, Metals, and Granite Complete Selection Logic
I. Overview of Core Characteristics (Quick Differentiation)

1. Granite (Natural Stone)
   Pros: Excellent vibration damping, extremely low thermal expansion, non-magnetic insulation, low cost, mature large-area base technology;
   Cons: Natural texture and impurities, prone to chipping at small holes/thin walls, cannot be made into complex irregular shapes, very heavy, absorbs water and oil stains, slight creep under long-term heavy pressure.
2. Metal (Aluminum / Steel / Cast Iron)
   Pros: Easy to machine, supports complex structures, lightweight thin walls, no chipping when drilling/tapping, flexible assembly, fast delivery;
   Cons: Significant thermal expansion/contraction, prone to vibration resonance, steel rusts, conductive and magnetic, creep under long-term stress, poor precision stability.
3. Precision Ceramics (Silicon Carbide / Alumina Ceramics)
   Combines the strengths of both and compensates for their weaknesses
   Inherits from stone: Low thermal expansion, high vibration damping, non-magnetic insulation, corrosion resistance, ultra-high hardness and wear resistance;
   Inherits from metal: Precision machining of small holes, through holes, embedded threads, irregular thin walls, and integrated structures;
   Unique advantages: Uniform material without natural defects, non-absorbent to oil/stains, zero creep, high-temperature stability, lighter weight with the same rigidity.
   II. Scenario-Based Selection Criteria (Directly match your equipment)
   Scenario 1: Large fixed inspection platforms, CMM machine bases → Prioritize Granite
   Suitable for: Large dimensions, stationary, limited budget, no need for dense small holes / complex slots
   Disadvantages: Not recommended if dense bolt holes, ultra-thin structures, or high-speed movement are required.
   Scenario 2: High-speed motion modules, lightweight motion brackets, small precision tooling → Prioritize Metal (Aluminum Alloy / Steel)
   Suitable for: Complex structures, low-cost mass production, minimal temperature changes, short-term use, no strict requirements for long-term precision
   Disadvantages: Not suitable for hot/cold environments or high-precision optical / semiconductor equipment, as precision will drift.
   Scenario 3: High-precision optics, semiconductors, laser equipment, high-speed precision moving parts, small high-precision bases → Prioritize Ceramics
   Ceramics are the optimal solution if any of the following apply:
   Need for dense small holes, through holes, or bottom-mounted isolation pillars (like the customer’s previous 4-inch plate with dense bolt structure);
   Equipment requires high-speed reciprocating motion, needing both vibration damping lightweight;
   Strict temperature-variable environment, where micron-level precision must not drift during long-term operation;
   Non-magnetic insulation required to avoid electromagnetic interference with optics / chips;
   Contact with acid/alkaline cutting fluids, requiring never to rust and not absorb oil stains;
   Thin-walled, irregular integrated structures where natural stone is prone to shattering.
   III. Key Indicator Comparison Decision Table