STATE OF MATTER :

CERAMICS
REBECCA, ADIB, ZULKHILMY, FARAH

STRUCTURE OF CERAMICS

Ionic bonded ceramics

Covalently bonded ceramics

PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS

Strength
The strong bonds holding the atoms (or ions)
together in three dimensions will make the
ceramic hard and strong, but also brittle.
Melting Point
- This type of giant covalent structure is
thermally very stable and has a veryhigh
melting and boiling pointsbecause of the strong
covalent bond network.
- A relatively large amount of energy is needed to
melt or boil giant covalent structures.

Conductivity
They are usuallypoor conductors of
electricitybecause the electrons are not
usually free to move as they can in metallic
structures.

USES OF CERAMICS
Magnesium Oxide
Special characteristic:
-the good electrical insulation properties
-its thermal conductivity.
Therefore, it is used as;
Electrical insulators in industrial electrical
cables where magnesium oxide surrounds the
copper wires.
As a refractory in furnace lining
In fire- resistant wall board.

Aluminium Oxide
-Special characteristic:
a high strength and hardness,
high resistance to wear and corrosion,
high thermal conductivity,
excellent insulation properties,
high toughness and
high-temperature strength.
Therefore, it is used as:
refractory in furnace lining
As an abrasive for grinding hard materials : they dont conduct
heat or melt when heat is given off during grinding.
In transparent aluminium oxide- scandium windows for furnaces
and for millitary vehicles.

Silicon oxide
Special charateristic:
-high-temperature strength.

Therefore, it is used as:

Refractory in furnace linings
As an abrasive: for example sand paper
In the manufacture of glass.

DICTIONARY

Abrasive : a substance or material such as

sandpaper, pumice, or emery, used for cleaning,
grinding, smoothing, or polishing
Furnace: a device used for heating.
Furnace lining: a protective and insulating layer of
heat resistant material. This layer serves to
protect thefurnace part from the extreme heat
developed duringsmelting operations. It also
prevents excessive heat loss from the external
furnace surfaces making the process more
efficient. Also known as refractory materials,
furnace lining materials are typically ceramics or
combination metal/ceramics.