Properties, Classification And Applications Of Ceramics
One can say that the metals can be the most important material in engineering applications. But actually, there is an another material group that has very unique properties and becuase of these properties, they has very common applications in engineering. This material group is called as ceramics. In this article, we will explain the properties of ceramics, applications of ceramics and classification of ceramics.
What Is ‘Ceramic’? What Are The Properties Of Ceramics?
Ceramics are the type of material that includes metal and non-metal compounds as in inorganic manner. First of all, ceramics are very abundant on earth. The word of ‘ceramic’ came from greek word ‘keramos’ which means pottery’s clay. The most important examples of ceramics are;
- Alumina, or aluminum oxide (Al2O3), used in applications ranging from abrasives to artificial bones.
- Silica, or silicon dioxide(SiO2), the main ingredient in most glass products.
- Hydrous aluminum silicate (Al2Si2O5(OH)4), known as kaolinite, the principal ingredient in most clay product.
If we take a look at the properties of general ceramic materials; High melting temperature that makes ceramic materials preferable in high temperature applications. Ceramics has very good chemical stability. Good electrical and thermal insulation is also one of the most important property of ceramics. Ceramics also have high hardness and brittle nature.
What Are The Applications Of Ceramics?
- Construction products: Tiles, bricks etc.
- Refractory: Environments that has high temperature applications such as crucibles, molds etc.
- Concrete is also ceramic material is used in most buildings and other civil engineering applications.
- Whiteware products: including pottery, stoneware, fine china, porcelain, and other tablewares etc.
- Glass is also a type of ceramic.
- Fiberglasses.
- Aluminum oxide and silicon carbide are also very good abrasives.
- Cutting tool materials: cubic boron nitride(CBN), tungsten carbide, aluminum oxide.
- Ceramic insulation.
Basic Classification Of Ceramic Materials
- Traditional Ceramics: Silicates are used as clay products such as bricks, pottery etc.
- New Ceramics: Nonsilicate ceramic materials that developed recently. Has superior properties compared with traditional ceramics.
- Glasses: Non-crystalline ceramics.
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