Ceramics: Characteristics and Classification

 

Ceramics are compounds of metallic and  non-metallic elements. The word ‘ceramic’ is originated from Greek word ‘keromikos‘, which means ‘burnt stuff’.

Characteristics of Ceramics:

1. High-temperature stability.
2. High hardness-brittleness.
3. High mechanical strength.
4. Low elongation under application of stress.
5. Low thermal and electrical conductivities.

Classification of Ceramics:

Based on their composition classified as:

1. Oxides,
2. Carbides,
3. Nitrides,
4. Sulfides,
5. Flourides, etc.

Based on application classified as:

1. Glasses: containers, windows, mirrors, lenses.
2. Clay products: structural products (bricks, tiles, sewer pipes) and whitewares (porcelain, chinaware, pottery, etc.).
3. Refractories: Thermal insulation.
4. Abrasives: Diamond, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, silica sand, aluminum oxide/corundum are some typical examples of abrasive ceramic materials.
5. Cement: construction brick.
6. Advanced ceramics: heat engines, ceramic armors, electronic packaging, etc.