MTT- 2203.

Introduction to Ceramic Technology.

W.A.H.I. Jayaweera.
ENT/2020/047
1196
Department of Materials Technology
Faculty of Technology
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Why are crystal defects important in ceramics and how properties
change with the change of defects?
Introduction:
Due to their distinctive combination of qualities, including high strength, hardness, corrosion
resistance, and thermal stability, ceramics are widely used materials in a variety of applications.
Ceramics' microstructure, which is primarily controlled by the material's crystal flaws, determines
how they behave. The mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties of ceramics are
greatly influenced by crystal defects, which can be categorized as point, line, surface, and volume
defects. This study covers the significance of crystal flaws in ceramics and how imperfections
alter the characteristics of ceramics.

Importance of Crystal Defects in Ceramics:

Crystal flaws are important in ceramics for a number of different reasons. First off, flaws have an impact
on the strength, toughness, and hardness of ceramic materials. For instance, the strength of ceramics is
decreased when point defects like vacancies and interstitials are present because they act as stress
concentrators and encourage the beginning and spread of cracks. By offering slip planes for deformation
and energy absorption, line defects like dislocations, on the other hand, increase the toughness of
ceramics. Moreover, because they serve as the starting points for crack propagation, surface flaws like
grain boundaries and pores have an impact on the mechanical characteristics of ceramics.
Ceramics' electrical characteristics are impacted by crystal imperfections. Point defects include, for
instance, conductivity, dielectric constant, and piezoelectric characteristics of dopants. Moreover, line
flaws like dislocations can lead to charged regions and the creation of space charge layers in ceramics,
which can change their electrical characteristics.
The thermal characteristics of ceramics are impacted by crystal imperfections. For instance, ceramics'
lattice structure, thermal conductivity, and expansion coefficient can be changed by point defects like
vacancies and interstitials. Line flaws like dislocations can also generate thermal stress fields in ceramics,
which can cause thermal deformation and cracking.
Ceramics' optical characteristics are impacted by crystal flaws. For instance, ceramics' absorption and
emission spectra can be changed by point defects like color centers and dopants, which can result in the
development of color centers and luminescence. Furthermore, surface flaws like grain boundaries and
pores can scatter and absorb light, which affects the reflectivity and transparency of ceramics.

How Properties Change with the Change of Defects:

The properties of ceramics change with the change of crystal defects. For instance, the
mechanical properties of ceramics such as strength, toughness, and hardness depend on the
type, concentration, and distribution of crystal defects. Point defects such as vacancies and
interstitials reduce the strength of ceramics, while line defects such as dislocations enhance the
toughness of ceramics. Additionally, surface defects such as grain boundaries and pores affect
the fracture toughness and fatigue resistance of ceramics.
Similarly, the electrical properties of ceramics such as conductivity, dielectric constant, and
piezoelectric properties depend on the type and concentration of crystal defects. Point defects
such as dopants and vacancies can alter the electronic structure of ceramics and modify their
electrical properties. Additionally, line defects such as dislocations can create charged regions
in ceramics, leading to the formation of space charge layers, which can affect the electrical
properties of ceramics.

The thermal properties of ceramics such as conductivity, expansion coefficient, and specific
heat also depend on the type and concentration of crystal defects. Point defects such as
vacancies and interstitials can alter the lattice structure of ceramics and modify their thermal
properties. Additionally, line defects such as dislocations can create thermal stress fields in
ceramics, leading to thermal deformation and cracking.

Finally, the optical properties of ceramics such as transparency, reflectivity, and luminescence
depend on the type and concentration of crystal defects. Point defects such as color centers
and dopants can alter the absorption and emission spectra of ceramics.