The special feature of aluminum titanate (Al₂TiO₅) is its excellent thermal shock resistance. Components made of this material can withstand even the most abrupt temperature changes of several hundred degrees without damage, although they have low strength.

The good thermal shock resistance is a result of the very low thermal expansion and a certain amount of porosity in the microstructure. This ceramic material’s poor wettability with molten metals also makes it ideal for use in foundry technology and metallurgical melting.