Introduction: What is Ceramic:  Ceramics ...

Introduction:
What is Ceramic:
 Ceramics can be simply defined as inorganic, nonmetallic materials which are formed from naturally occurring raw materials or Synthetic powders. They are usually crystalline in nature and are compounds formed between metallic and non-metallic elements such as aluminum and oxygen (alumina-Al2O3), calcium and oxygen (calcia - CaO), and silicon and nitrogen (silicon nitride-Si3N4).Their Crystal structure is isotropic in nature having uniform properties in all directions.However,on broader terms Ceramics includes glass(non-crystalline and amorphous) and glass ceramics(glass particles in ceramics crystals) because of its applications in various fields due to developing ceramics technology
History of Ceramics:
The word Ceramic is derived from Greek term Keramos, meaning "a potter" or "pottery." Keramos is also related to an older Sanskrit root meaning "to burn." Thus the early Greeks used the term to mean "burned stuff" or "burned earth" when referring to products obtained through the action of fire upon earthy materials1.
It is one of the ancient industries in the planet.History of Ceramics dates back to at least 24,000 B.C. The first use of functional pottery vessels for storing water and food is thought to be around 9,000 or 10,000 B.C.At the same time clay bricks were also made.By the Industrial revolution in 16th century synthetic materials with better resistance to high temperatures called Refractories are formed which revolutionized manufacture of ceramics. Another major development occurred in the second half of the 19th century, when ceramic materials for electrical insulation were developed. Because of invention of automobiles, radios, televisions, computers—ceramic and glass materials were needed.Applications and Technology of Ceramics has increased steadily since the ancient times. It played a major role in progress of humankind by its applications in various segments.
Ceramics are formed generally by shaping mixtures of clay,powders,earthen elements and water into anticipated forms, which is then fired to high temperature. Extrusion, pressing, slip casting, tape casting and injection molding are some of the most common forming methods for ceramics. Then it undergoes heat-treatment (called firing or sintering) to produce a finished,rigid product. Some ceramic products undergoes processes like glazing, machining or polishing step in order meet specific engineering design criteria.


Classification of Ceramics:



Ceramics are classified into two broad categories as Traditional and Advanced Ceramics.
In general, traditional ceramics are made of clay. The five principal types of traditional ceramics are Whiteware, Glazes and porcelain enamels, Structural clay products, Cements and Concrete, Refractory brick.



Advanced ceramics, also commonly ...