high density ceramic have much higher densities

Sintered bauxite proppant or high grade alumina have been used as proppant materials at well depths greater than 20,000 feet, but these high density ceramic have much higher densities than sand and therefore require high viscosity pumping fluids or high pumping rates. Larger pumping equipment is required, and wear rates on fracturing fluid carrying equipment is accelerated. In addition, the raw materials used to make the proppant materials are more costly.