Ceramics and Glass

Definition: Ceramics are materials made from clay, mud

or cement.

Classes of Ceramics
1. Refractory ceramics: These are ceramics made from
fired clay. It is used for oven lining.
2. White-ware ceramics: These are the types of
ceramics used for making wall tiles, floor tiles and for
electrical insulators.
3. Structural clay ceramics: These are ceramics used in
building construction like blocks, bricks and concrete.
Refractory Ceramics:
White-ware ceramics
Structural clay ceramics
 PRODUCTION OF GLASS
Glass is manufacture by mixing:
Sand + Silica + Limestone + Soda Ash +
chemicals for coloring.
This mixture is fed into a furnace where
they are super-heated and fused to form
glass.
 Properties of Ceramics and Glass
1. Brittleness: Ceramics and glasses can break when it is dropped.
2. High resistance to heat: Ceramics especially can withstand high
temperature.
3. Easily decorated: Ceramics and glass can easily be decorated for
beauty.
4. High compressive load: Ceramics in the form of concrete can
carry very heavy loads.
5. Porosity: Clay ceramics used for making pots contain pores that
allows for cooling.
6. High resistance to corrosion: Since ceramics does not corrode, it
can be used for storing chemicals.
7. Insulators: Ceramics are used for manufacturing electrical
switches, plugs and spark plugs.
 Products of ceramics and Glass
i. Bricks
ii. Bottles
iii. Glass cups
iv. Clay pots
v. Tiles
vi. Cement
vii. Plaster of Paris (POP)
viii. Water closet
ix. Electrical insulators.
Differences between Ceramics and
Glass
Ceramics Glass

1. Not transparent, as light cannot Glass is transparent. Light can

pass through it. completely or partially pass through it
2. Ceramic is dense, i.e. it has Glass is lighter in weight.
weight.
3. Ceramics cannot be processed into Glass can be processed into mirror.
mirror.
4. Ceramic does not crack easily Glass cracks under intense heat.
under heat.