Ceramics: Materials, Processing and Properties

A ceramic is a solid material which comprises of an inorganic compound. Such an inorganic compound can be made up of metal, non-metal or metalloid atoms primarily held in ionic and covalent bonds. Earthenware and brick are some common examples of ceramics. In terms of crystallinity, ceramic materials can range from completely amorphous to semi-crystalline, and highly oriented. Earthenware, stoneware and porcelain are examples of fired ceramics which are either vitrified or semi-vitrified. Most ceramic substances exhibit some common properties such as high melting temperature, low ductility, high moduli of elasticity, chemical resistance and poor conductivity. There are various options for the composition and structure of a ceramic due to the broad range of available combinations of elements, bonding and levels of crystallinity. Accordingly, the hardness and toughness of different ceramics can vary considerably. Different approaches, evaluations, methodologies and advanced studies on ceramics have been included in this book. Those with an interest in the field of ceramics would find this book helpful.