ABSTRACT
Ceramics represent a unique class of materials that are distinguished from common metals and plastics by their: (1) high hardness, stiffness, and good wear properties (i.e. abrasion resistance); (2) ability to withstand high temperatures (i.e. refractoriness); (3) chemical durability; and (4) electrical properties that allow them to be electrical insulators, semiconductors, or ionic conductors. Ceramics can be broken down into two general categories, traditional and advanced ceramics. Traditional ceramics include common household products such as clay pots, tiles, pipe, and bricks; porcelain china, sinks, and electrical insulators; and thermally insulating refractory bricks for ovens and fireplaces. Advanced ceramics, also referred to as ‘high-tech’ ceramics, include products such as spark-plug bodies, piston rings, catalyst supports, and water-pump seals for automobiles; thermally insulating tiles for the space shuttle; sodium vapour lamp tubes in street lights; and the capacitors, resistors, transducers, and varistors in the solid-state electronics we use daily.
