Types of ceramics

People first started making ceramics thousands of years ago, and we're still designing brand new

ceramic materials today. Ceramics are broken down into two kinds: traditional, and advanced (or

engineering-level) versions. There's quite a big difference between age-old, general-purpose

ceramics like brick and glass and modern, engineered ceramics.

Traditional ceramics

Bricks, pottery, glass, porcelain, tiles, cement, and concrete are our classic, time-tested ceramics.

Ceramics like this are ancient materials that have gradually found more uses as the centuries

have worn on. Take tiles, for example. Although they all have different uses, we can still think of

them as general-purpose materials.

Advanced engineering ceramics

Advanced ceramics are ones that have been engineered for highly specific applications. Some are

composite materials, in which the ceramic forms a kind of background material called the matrix.

For example, we have tungsten carbide, silicon carbide and boron nitride. High-temperature

superconductors are made from crystals of yttrium, barium, copper and oxygen.

OXIDE CERAMICS

The addition of oxide fibers to a ceramic mixture can assist the final component in resisting

oxidation while also adding strength and reinforcement. Although they come in a variety of

compositions and can be created in a variety of ways, all oxide fibers are generated first,

generally by a chemical process, and then heated to complete the ceramic.

 1. Alumina ceramics are known for their superior chemical resistance, enhanced strength,

and temperature resistance. They may be manufactured in a similar manner as sol-gel

and then fired at high temperatures. The resulting material has a rough surface but a

robust polycrystalline structure. The surface can be polished with a silica coating, which

increases the component's strength. When subjected to great heat, alumina-zirconia

ceramic fiber retains mechanical qualities better and is often more beneficial in

composites that must endure continuous exposure to higher temperatures. Alumina-

silica ceramic fiber has qualities similar to alumina-zirconia ceramic fiber.

2. Beryllium oxide ceramics feature strong heat conductivity, good insulation, a low

dielectric constant, a low medium loss, and good process flexibility. These ceramics are

occasionally used as a component in the manufacture of glass. Glass containing beryllium

oxide, which can pass through x-rays, is used to manufacture X-ray tubes for structural

investigation and medical treatment of skin problems. Because of their durability and

insulating qualities, beryllium oxide ceramics are also employed for high-power

microwave packaging and high-frequency transistor packaging.

3. Zirconia ceramics offer low heat conductivity, great thermal insulation, and very strong

fracture propagation resistance. As a result, they're frequently utilized for protective

coatings and as wire forming tools. They are utilized in dentistry, such as dental

prostheses, as well as other medical equipment. Because zirconia ceramics are less fragile

than other ceramics, they are frequently utilized in ceramic blades.

NON-OXIDE CERAMICS

Non-oxide ceramics also have extremely good corrosion resistance, hardness, and oxidation

resistance. Fiber production procedures include spinning and curing the resulting fiber with heat, as

in pyrolysis and sintering.

 1. Silicon nitride ceramics have very low density, high fracture toughness, strong flexural strength,

and outstanding thermal shock resistance. Silicon nitride may be machined in a variety of states,

including green, biscuit, and totally dense. Silicon nitride ceramics are employed in the rotation of

bearing balls and rollers, the movement of engine components, turbine blades, and weld

positioners.

2. Silicon carbide ceramics are significantly lighter and tougher than conventional ceramics, and

they are acid and lye resistant. Pressureless sintering processes enable the production of dense

compacts of silicon carbide, making it a common structural material. Because silicon carbide is

predominantly composed of lightweight components, these ceramics are lightweight. They have

little thermal expansion, good conductivity, and are extremely chemically stable. They are utilized

for fixed and moving turbine components, suction box lids, seals, bearings, ball valve parts, and

heat exchangers, among other things.

COMPOSITE CERAMICS

A composite material is made up of two or more constituent materials that have distinct physical

or chemical characteristics. These elements mix to form a material with properties distinct from the

separate components. The components stay distinct inside the completed structure, separating

composites from mixes and solid solutions. Ceramic fibers incorporated into a ceramic matrix make

up composite ceramics. The matrix and fibers can be composed of any ceramic material.

1. Fiber-reinforced ceramics, also known as ceramic matrix-fiber composites, can have a

polycrystalline structure. The use of organic, metallic, or glass fibers is prohibited due to the high

process temperatures necessary to make them. Only fibers that are stable at temperatures
 exceeding 1000 °C, such as alumina, mullite, SiC, zirconia, or carbon, can be employed. Their

applications are in domains that need high-temperature reliability as well as corrosion and wear

resistance.

Glass ceramics

This is one of several forms of ceramics manufactured by regulating crystallization, which has

qualities similar to glass but with the hardness and strength of ceramics.

Properties: This ceramic is manufactured using a cutting-edge manufacturing process, resulting in

materials with enviable properties such as zero porosity, mechanical strength, durability, high

temperatures, translucency, and biocompatibility. This material also has high chemical durability

and superconductivity.

Examples: These ceramics are used to produce pieces for cookware, bakeware, and cooktops.

This material is also commonly used in scientific, industrial, and medical applications.

Fired Bricks

Bricks are frequently created by heating clay-like materials, and sand is classified as ceramics. This

type of pottery is commonly found in homes.

properties: The properties of this ceramic vary greatly depending on its production and

composition. In general, this ceramic is robust, brittle, heavy, and resistant to high temperatures.

Examples: where this ceramic has been used include chimneys, fireplaces, and walls. They're also

frequently utilized in landscaping.

Silicon

Silicon is another prominent form of ceramic and is frequently regarded as superior due to its

chemical characteristics. This ceramic is plentiful, accounting for approximately 90% of the Earth's

crust. Sand and clays, which are commonly used in the production of conventional ceramics, are

frequently based on silicon abide. For example, silica ceramic is used to make burnt bricks, and

kaolinite is used to make porcelains are both silicate minerals.

Properties: This material possesses a brittle and rigid crystalline solid as well as a semiconductor.

Example: Extreme purity crystalline silicon, such as polycrystalline silicon, is utilized in the

manufacture of solar panels and semiconductor devices such as integrated circuits.

Silicon Carbide

Other forms of ceramics include silicon carbide, a high-quality semiconductor material composed

of carbon and silicon that occurs naturally as the relatively uncommon crystal moissanite.

Properties: These ceramics are robust and exceptionally hard ceramics, as well as a

semiconductor that occurs in roughly 250 crystalline forms. This porcelain is inherently colorless,

however impurities such as iron commonly tint it. This demonstrates a lack of thermal

development.

Example: This ceramic is commonly used in cutting tools, furnaces, braking disks, abrasives,

heating elements, as well as lighting and electrical power systems. The natural form of silicon

carbide is valued as a gem because it resembles diamonds in look and toughness. It is a synthetic

replacement that is tougher than zirconia.

Titanium Carbide

This is a black ceramic with high heat resistance and great hardness.

Properties: Ceramics have properties such as heat resistance, high hardness, corrosion resistance,

and wear resistance.

 Examples: These ceramics are commonly used in tool bits, machine components, heat shields,

and watch movements.

Tungsten Carbide

This is a hard and dense substance made from the identical proportions of carbon and tungsten.

Properties: These ceramics are thick, hard, durable, and strong, with low electrical resistance.

Examples: include industrial equipment, cutting instruments, and sporting equipment.

Ferrite ceramic

Is an ceramics material manufactured by heating (iron oxide) with one or more metals such as

barium, nickel and zinc.

Properties: ferrites are permanent magnets valued for their magnetic field that attracts or repels

other magnetic materials such as iron and other magnets. Ferrite are also poor conductor of

electricity

Example: refrigerator magnets, speaker, electric motor, inductors, transformers, magnetic

recording taped, memory hardware and industrial application.

Barium Titanate

A ceramic valued for its electrical properties.

Properties: Barium titanate is a strong dielectric, an electrical insulator that can be polarized by

an applying an electric field. It is also a piezoelectric material, meaning that it accumulates an

electrical charge in response to mechanical stress.

Example: Capacitors, transducers, microphones and other sensors.

Boron Carbide

A hard ceramic that is resistant to heat, ionizing radiation and chemicals.

Properties: Extremely hard and heat resistant, semiconductor, absorbs radiation and nonreactive

to most chemicals.

Example: Locks, nozzles, scratch resistant coatings, tools and dies, abrasives, neutron absorbers

and brake linings. Often used in composite materials for its hardness.

Bioceramic

A bioceramic is any ceramic material that is biocompatible, meaning that it can be safely used

inside the human body. These are designed to be inert in the body and may be designed to

decompose with time such that they are replaced by the body.

Properties: A broad category of advanced materials such as vitreous carbon and calcium

phosphate-based ceramics that are designed to be biocompatible.

Example: Medical devices designed to be inserted into the body such as an artificial hip or bone

plates, screws and wires.

Ceramic Matrix Composites

A type of composite material made with ceramic fibers embedded in a ceramic matrix.

Properties: Often designed to improve the crack resistance of very hard ceramics such as silicon

carbide that are prone to cracking like glass. Ceramic matrix composites may also be designed for

high tensile strength, flextual strength and extreme durability.

Example: Turbines, furnaces, brake disks and machine parts such as slide bearings

Ceramic Foam

Foam is any material that contains pockets of gas or liquid. Ceramic foams are typically designed

to be strong and lightweight or to have special properties for applications such as thermal

insulation.

Properties: Ceramic foams are generally less strong than a solid ceramic but may be very strong

relative to their weight. They may be as much as 96% gas by volume. Some ceramic foams are

less brittle than their solid counterpart because air pockets may prevent cracks in the material

from spreading.
 Example: Lightweight structural material, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, filtration and

absorption of environmental

Porcelain

An ancient type of ceramics that developed in China as early as the Shang dynasty of 1600-1046

BC. Porcelain comes in many varieties that are based on heating a clay mineral known as kaolin in

a kiln, a type of oven.

Properties: Strong, hard, durable and resistant to chemicals, heat and thermal shock. Combines

well with glazes and paints. Porcelain is a white material that provides an excellent base for

decorative pottery and art much like white paper.

Example: Historically, porcelain was an expensive material that was considered the most

prestigious form of pottery.

Bone China

A type of porcelain made with bone ash as an key ingredient. This is a British innovation that

emerged at the end of the 18th century. For about 150 years, bone china was produced almost

exclusively produced in the UK with Japan entering the market in the mid-20th century. Ceramics

is often defined as an inorganic material but bone china is an exception.

Properties: Bone china has similar properties to other porcelains but is known for its superior

chip resistance, whiteness and translucency.

 Example: Bone china is considered a premium material due to its history of being manufactured

in the UK to produce high quality tableware and ornamental items.

Earthenware

The earliest form of human produced ceramics that was created in fire pits as early as 29,000 BC.

Earthenware is made with selected clays and other materials and is not heated to the point of

vitrification that gives porcelain and other ceramics their glassy, translucent and nonporous

properties. As such, earthenware is opaque, porous and is softer than porcelain.

Properties: Low mechanical strength. Easily chipped and scratched. Requires less energy to

produce than most other ceramics and is relatively inexpensive. An opaque color that is often

similar to clay with browns, reds and oranges being common. Earthenware must be glazed to be

watertight.

Example: inexpensive tiles and pottery such as flower pots.

Stoneware

Stoneware is fired at a temperature above earthenware but below porcelain. This results in a

vitreous or semi-vitreous ceramic that is watertight but not as translucent and white as porcelain.

Properties: Stoneware is often valued for its earthy look and relative strength as compared to

earthenware. Its properties are similar to porcelain beyond its appearance. As such, it has similar

uses including in industrial equipment where it is used for its resistance to chemicals.

Example: Stoneware is used to make both expensive and inexpensive pottery and tiles