Density Computations for Ceramics

Number of formula units/unit cell

n(AC  AA )

VC N A
Avogadro’s number
Volume of unit cell

AC = sum of atomic weights of all cations in formula unit

AA = sum of atomic weights of all anions in formula unit

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 Densities of Material Classes
In general Metals/
Graphite/
Composites/
metals > ceramics > polymers Alloys
Ceramics/
Semicond
Polymers
fibers
30
Why? Platinum
Based on data in Table B1, Callister
*GFRE, CFRE, & AFRE are Glass,
20 Gold, W
Metals have... Tantalum Carbon, & Aramid Fiber-Reinforced
Epoxy composites (values based on
• close-packing 60% volume fraction of aligned fibers
10 Silver, Mo in an epoxy matrix).
(metallic bonding) Cu,Ni
Steels
• often heavy atomic masses Tin, Zinc
Zirconia

 (g/cm3 )
5
Ceramics have... 4
Titanium
Al oxide
Diamond
• less dense packing 3 Si nitride
Aluminum Glass -soda Glass fibers
• often lighter elements Concrete
Silicon PTFE GFRE*
2
Polymers have... Magnesium Graphite
Silicone
Carbon fibers
CFRE*
Aramid fibers
PVC
• low packing density PET
PC
AFRE*
1
(often amorphous) HDPE, PS
PP, LDPE
• lighter elements (C,H,O)
0.5
Composites have... 0.4
Wood

• intermediate values 0.3

Data from Table B.1, Callister & Rethwisch, 3e.
2
 Silica - Ceramics
Most common elements on earth are Si & O

Si4+

O2-

Adapted from Figs.

3.10-11, Callister &
Rethwisch 3e
crystobalite

• SiO2 (silica) Polymorphic forms are quartz,

crystobalite, & tridymite
• The strong Si-O bonds lead to a high melting
temperature (1710ºC) for this material
3
 Glass Structure
• Basic Unit: Glass is noncrystalline (amorphous)
4- • Fused silica is SiO2 to which no
SiO4 tetrahedron
impurities have been added
Si 4+ • Other common glasses contain
O2- impurity ions such as Na+, Ca2+,
Al3+, and B3+

• Quartz is crystalline
Na +
SiO2: Si 4+
O2-

(soda glass)
Adapted from Fig. 3.41,
Callister & Rethwisch 3e.

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 Silicates Contd.
Bonding of adjacent SiO44- accomplished by the sharing
of common corners, edges, or faces

Adapted from Fig.

3.12, Callister &
Rethwisch 3e.
Mg2SiO4 Ca2MgSi2O7

Presence of cations such as Ca2+, Mg2+, & Al3+

1. maintain charge neutrality, and
2. ionically bond SiO44- to one another
5
 Layered Silicates
• Layered silicates (e.g., clays, mica,
talc)
– SiO4 tetrahedra connected
together to form 2-D plane

• A net negative charge is associated

with each (Si2O5)2- unit
• Negative charge balanced by
adjacent plane rich in positively
charged cations

Adapted from Fig.

3.13, Callister &
Rethwisch 3e.

6
 Layered Silicates (cont)
• Kaolinite clay alternates (Si2O5)2- layer with Al2(OH)42+
layer

Adapted from Fig. 3.14,

Callister & Rethwisch 3e.

Note: Adjacent sheets of this type are loosely bound to

one another by van der Waal’s forces.
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 Polymorphic Forms of Carbon
Diamond
– tetrahedral bonding of Two or more distinct crystal structures -
for the same element (Allotropy), for the
carbon same material (Polymorphism)
• hardest material known
• very high thermal
conductivity
– large single crystals – gem
stones
– small crystals – used to
grind/cut other materials
– diamond thin films
• hard surface coatings – used
for cutting tools, medical
devices, etc.

Adapted from Fig. 3.16, 8

Callister & Rethwisch 3e.
Polymorphic Forms of Carbon (cont)
Graphite
– layered structure – parallel hexagonal arrays of
carbon atoms

Adapted from Fig.

3.17, Callister &
Rethwisch 3e.

– weak van der Waal’s forces between layers

– planes slide easily over one another -- good lubricant
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 Polymorphic Forms of Carbon (cont)
Fullerenes and Nanotubes
• Fullerenes – spherical cluster of 60 carbon atoms, C60
– Like a soccer ball
• Carbon nanotubes – sheet of graphite rolled into a tube
– Ends capped with fullerene hemispheres

Adapted from Figs.

3.18 & 3.19,
Callister &
Rethwisch 3e.

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