ABSTRACT
Ceramics are defined as the art and science of making and using solid articles that have as their essential component, inorganic nonmetallic materials [Kingery et al., 1976]. Ceramics are refractory, polycrystal line compounds, usually inorganic, including silicates, metallic oxides, carbides and various refractory hydrides, sulfides, and selenides. Oxides such as Al2O3, MgO, SiO2, and ZrO2 contain metallic and nonmetallic elements and ionic salts, such as NaCl, CsCl, and ZnS [Park and Lakes, 1992]. Exceptions to the preceding include covalently bonded ceramics such as diamond and carbonaceous structures like graphite and pyrolized carbons [Park and Lakes, 1992].
