Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Ceramics
Ceramic Defined
• Important examples:
– Silica - silicon dioxide (SiO2), main ingredient in
most glass products
– Alumina - aluminum oxide (Al2O3), used in various
applications from abrasives to artificial bones
– More complex compounds such as hydrous
aluminum silicate (Al2Si2O5(OH)4), main ingredient
in most clay products
Silica - silicon dioxide Alumina - aluminum oxide (Al2O3), used in
(SiO2), main ingredient
various applications from abrasives
in most glass products
Hydrous aluminum
silicate (Al2Si2O5(OH)4),
main ingredient in
most clay products
Manufacture of ceramic components involves many
different variables—from
❖starting material and additives used, to
❖forming method,
❖sintering process/ temperature and
❖final finishing techniques, as well as
❖size and shape of part itself
They provide
❖ high wear,
❖ heat and corrosion resistance,
❖ high tensile strength,
❖ volume resistivity,
❖ dielectric strength and
❖ modulus of elasticity.
When quartz crystal is compressed, it becomes electrically charged (positive charge on one
side, negative on opposite side) and electrical current is able to pass through crystal. Used a
crystal's piezoelectric properties when using a lighter?
Quartz crystals oscillate at precise rate even under various temperatures, making them
perfect for accurate time-keeping and technological applications. Most digital quartz
watches use this precise oscillation to maintain their accuracy. Electricity from watch battery
passes through quartz and oscillates at a precise rate or frequency. For every certain number
of oscillations, gears turn to indicate that a second has passed.
Mechanical watch
Quartz watch
Electro-Quartz
Butane Lighter
Prosthesis was made of stainless
steel 316L and its stem was coated
with bioceramic (hydroxyapatite)
Automotive
• WC, TiC, and TaC are valued for their hardness and wear
resistance in cutting tools and other applications requiring
these properties
• Window glass
• Containers – cups, jars, bottles
• Light bulbs
• Laboratory glassware – flasks, beakers, glass tubing
• Glass fibers – insulation, fiber optics
• Optical glasses - lenses
Elements Related to Ceramics
• Carbon
– Two alternative forms of engineering and
commercial importance: graphite and
diamond
• Silicon
• Boron
• Carbon, silicon, and boron are not ceramic
materials, but they sometimes
– Compete for applications with ceramics
– Have important applications of their own
Graphite
Boron Carbide (B4C). Boron carbide is the hardest material after diamond, giving it
outstanding wear resistance.
❑ Its mechanical properties, especially its fracture toughness, are low, limiting its
application.
❑ It is used extensively for ballistic armor and blast nozzles.
❑ Boron carbide is also a neutron absorber, making it a primary choice for control
rods and other nuclear applications.
(50%) 1. Clay
(25%) 2. Filler – e.g. quartz (finely ground)
(25%) 3. Fluxing agent (Feldspar)
binds it together
Sinter
and
Serve
Glass Types
Three common types of glass:
• Soda-lime glass - 95% of all glass, windows
containers etc.
• Lead glass - contains lead oxide to improve
refractive index
• Borosilicate - contains Boron oxide, known as
Pyrex.
Glasses
• Flat glass (windows)
• Container glass (bottles)
• Pressed and blown glass (dinnerware)
• Glass fibres (home insulation)
• Advanced/specialty glass (optical fibres)
Pressed Glass
Processing
Softened
Gob
Softened
glass
Blow Molding
Container Glass Manufacture
Parison
mold • Fiber drawing:
Compressed
• Blowing: air
suspended
Parison
wind up
Finishing
mold
Sheet Glass Forming
• Sheet forming – continuous draw
– originally sheet glass was made by “floating” glass on a
pool of mercury – or tin
Modern Plate/Sheet Glass making:
Glass tubing
Air is blown through mandrel to make tube
Ceramic Fabrication Methods-IIA