Ceramic Materials And Their Uses
Topics: Ceramic
The word Ceramics is derived from the Greek word Keramos which means potter’s earth or clay. Therefore, ceramics may be considered to be material made from naturally occurring clay or earth. Scientifically, ceramics are compounds of metallic and non-metallic elements. There are also manufactured ceramic materials such as diamond, SiC and Si3N4 and so on. In modern applications, a broader definition applies to the term ceramic, that is everything that is not a metal or organic material. Ceramics are inorganic as well as non-metallic materials which have been processed or used at high temperatures. The American Ceramic society has defined ceramic products as those manufactured “by the action of heat on raw materials, most of which are of an earthy nature — while of the constituents of these raw materials, the chemical element silicon, together with its oxide and the compounds thereof, occupies a predominant position.” That branch of knowledge which deals with the expertise of
manufacturing and treatment of ceramic materials is called ceramic engineering.
There are various types of ceramic products which we have classed under four distinct categories-
1. Structural – it includes roof and floor tiles, pipes and bricks.
2. White wares – they include objects like decorative, sanitary ware, table ware and wall tiles. The examples of white ware ceramics are stone ware, porcelain, bone china and earthen ware.
3. Refractories like glass and steel building crucibles, gas fire radiant and kiln linings.
4. Technical or fine ceramics. such products include tiles applied in the space shuttle program, ballistic fortification, bio-medical implants, missile nose cones, nuclear fuel uranium oxide pellets and jet engine turbine.
The various properties of ceramics are discussed below-
1. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES- they are crystalline or amorphous and are usually covalently bonded or iconic substances. Ceramic materials also show plastic deformations.
2. ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES- they are semi conductors and most of them are transitional metal oxides. However under extremely low temperatures some ceramics become superconductors.
CLASSIFICATION OF CERAMICS-
They are classified as non -crystalline and crystalline ceramics. The non-crystalline ceramics are formed from melts and are called glass ceramic. They are produced after a great range of processing whereas the crystalline ceramics do not require much doling out.
Apart from the ones discussed above, ceramics have a wide range of usage
1. It is used in making knives and ceramic knives are sharper than steel knives. Though they are brittle, their blades are more durable.
2. Ceramics like alumina and boron carbide are used as “Small Arms Protective Inserts”
3. Steel can be replaced by ceramic balls in ball bearings. Due to their hardness they have a longer lifetime. Their electrical insulating capacities are also valuable in bearings but a major drawback is their high cost.
4. Ceramic engines can be used in laboratories due to their high fuel efficiency and they do not need any cooling system. However mass production is not possible because cracks can easily develop in ceramics which may result in dangerous equipment failure.
5. Nowadays bio-ceramics are made which include synthetic bones and dental implants.
6. High tech ceramic is also employed in making watch cases.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for pottery, antiques, and figurines.
When shopping for pottery, antiques and figurines, we recommend only the best
online stores: www.potterysell.com , www.selltheantiques.com , and www.sellfigurines.com .
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Build A Biz: A Innovative Way To Make Money Online (1)
It is not at all difficult to know about the various opportunities, by surfing net you can find out the job opportunities available according to your interests. Internet and computers are not only the means where you can make money.
How To Build A Successful Online Business (2)
You should try to negotiate rates. How Does An Affiliate Program Work? Your affiliate link is a special URL code that will recognize you as the source of the customer's introduction to the company, so you can see for yourself that your marketing plan is sound and producing results.
Easiest Ways To Make Money (3)
But it takes money to make money, and a little effort. You could also try stuffing envelopes, and make about $200 a month for 50 hours of evelope licking.
The Advantages Of A Nylon Velcro Cell Phone Case (4)
It features built-in grooves that are constructed of hard plastic and which run along the front and back insides of the case in order to protect the trackball. It opens wide to securely clasp onto a belt or pocket.
Blog Using Your Creative, Artistic Side (5)
Business blogs are, basically, created to advertise the services or products of a certain web site or online business in order to increase online sales. Moreover, business blogs are also one way of promoting the company so that the other readers will know that a certain company exists online.
The Difference Between Karaoke Music And Instrumental Music (6)
This allows the person to perform that song and sing in front of their friends, family, or talent show. With this being said, it's safe to assume that the main vocals are not present in the song itself.
Don't Be Intimidated By Ebay (7)
My success still goes all the way back to when I put up for auction my very first item. If I had not made up my mind to do it, and then taken the action to just start selling, I would not be where I am today.
Using Article Marketing To Target Search Engines And Humans (8)
If the site owner doesn't want to write their own articles they can hire a ghost write to pen the articles for them and then submit them to the distribution services under their own name and signature block.
MLM Leads: The Reason Why You're Not Having Success With Them (9)
Right? I've always had a problem with sharing-even as a kid. I can remember fighting over crayons- "I had it first, so it's mine!" Well, when it comes to purchased leads, you're going to have to put all your unresolved issues of sharing away.
How To Make The Perfect Chip Shot (10)
What is an "all right" result? Your objective should be to chip your ball onto the green every time. You won't do it everytime, But, having self-assurance and the mental picture of success is important to increasing your chances of hitting the ball properly.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
How To Select Your Construction Software Champion (1)
Committing time and money to a complex evaluation, selection, implementation and training process is not a place for wishy-washy management that doesn't fully trust their champion to complete the project successfully.
Learn The Basics Of A Mortgage (2)
Taxes: In many states, the money that is needed to pay property taxes is put into an escrow account or is paid at the time of the closing. In other states, the tax money is put into a third- party account until it is time to pay the taxes.
Why More People Are Choosing Statics And Caravans For Their Holiday Home (3)
The serene tranquillity of these locations creates a perfect space to escape the rat race, albeit just for a weekend. Holidaying within Britain is a far more eco-friendly form of tourism, without the need to fly and add to the effects of global warming; those with an environmental conscience will jump at the chance of having a holiday home within their nation.
How To Earn More Profits With Affiliate Program? (4)
An affiliate program is based on many different and unique ideas and by operating one accordingly you can rest assured that your business will benefit tremendously because of it. It is up to you to ensure that your future finances are all in tact and that you can live comfortable.
Basic Web Marketing Strategies You Can Use To Earn More Profits (5)
Apart from Google and Yahoo there are many other pay per click services available in the market. You can start your own newsletter or ezine or electronic magazine which your subscribers can choose to receive.
Issues You Need To Know About Affiliate Marketing (6)
Pre sell the products Putting the affiliate links here and there is not enough. You have to pre sell the products. However, pre selling is not identical to selling.
Planning Is Essential To Starting A Membership Site (7)
One of the first steps in you research could be to do a Google search and see what type of competition you have. For example, if you are interested in starting a content membership site with information for dog owners, type that into Google and see what comes up.
Getting The Word Out About Your New Joint Venture Product Or Service (8)
You can drive traffic directly to this website by a pay-per-click campaign, email campaign, press releases, article marketing and search engine optimization. Direct Promotions: 7. Direct mail. While direct mail can be costly, a postcard campaign to a purchased list is generally between .32 and .50 cents.
Using A Team To Manage A Membership Site (9)
You may want to interview several ghostwriters, as their skills can vary widely. You will want to find someone who can effectively write about the topics your site is centered upon.
Exploring Family Friendly New York City (10)
The Manhattan Children's Theatre produces several high quality shows for children and families throughout the year at quite reasonable prices (season tickets are also available for those who live nearby).