CERAMICS: TYPES, FEATURES AND USES

Introducción

Ceramics are non-metallic, inorganic compounds, and can be classified into two major types known as traditional or advanced ceramics. The difference between traditional and advanced ceramics lies mainly in their source and availability. Traditional sustratos cerámicos occur generally in nature, while advanced ceramics are produced by chemical synthesis.

Nature of ceramics

It is important for you to know that ceramics are stable under very high temperature conditions, and possess low heat dynamism. However, they are quite frail, when compared to metals. Other unique properties of ceramic materials which apply both to traditional and advanced ceramics include resistance to corrosion, extreme hardness and good electrical insulation.

Types of ceramics

Conventionally, ceramics are classified as Traditional and Advanced Ceramics. Both are identified on the basis of their shape, color and nature. It is easy for you to name and identify different variants of traditional ceramics. Advanced ceramics on the other hand, require experts like us to identify, prepare and also have highly specialized uses..

Cerámica tradicional

Traditional ceramics are made from naturally occuring raw materials, The constituents elements are derived from clay, and feldspar materials, which are found in mineral deposits. As you know, clay is a by-product of weathered igneous rock, while feldspar is a by-product of weathered granite.

La producción de traditional ceramics dates back to ancient times.The composite materials were further subjected to heat to achieve strength and durability. The  presence of silica in traditional ceramics provides fillers that support and prepare traditional ceramic products for the firing process. For example,  our cooking ware is sometimes made from composites of clay and straw.

FIG. 1: A block of clay mineral (composed of clay, feldspar and silicate).

After objects are formed, they are left out to dry up - water is discharged from the objects.This is the drying method. Finally, the dried clay products are put inside fire kilns under very high temperatures. This high temperature changes the physical and chemical structure products, to give them unique attributes of strength, durability and stability.

The strength of traditional ceramics is directly related to the presence of silica in the quartz sand.They tend to retain the internal structure of their bonds and composition even after they have been processed into final products. In other words, the structural composition of finished, traditional ceramic products, do not differ from the initial raw materials.

Types of traditional ceramics

El types of traditional ceramics are abrasives. refractory, structural clay, white ware, bricks and tiles, and cement.

• Abrasives: These are hard substances that have the capacity to break down weaker materials. Some of these are used in our households as sanitizers and abrasives.

• Refractory: This refers to products that support very high temperatures. For example, they are used to line furnaces and kilns in metal factories because they withstand very high temperatures.

• Structural clay products: These are designed solely for construction purposes such as in our buildings, paving, drainage pathways, roof and floor tiles.

• White ware: These are characteristically white and shiny. Examples are toilet ware such as sinks in our bathrooms, dental implants and terracotta tiles.

• Bricks and tiles: Standardized building materials that are used for construction of our living spaces.

• Cement: These are fine particles that when added to water, provide good binding materials used for construction of buildings..

Uses of traditional ceramics

The uses of traditional ceramics emanate from the products themselves. These range from aesthetics, manufacturing, construction and utility. We will therefore discuss uses of traditional ceramics under these identified categories.

1. Aesthetic traditional ceramics

Aesthetic traditional ceramics are crafted to reflect the culture and history of a people. Their features also reflect the geographic and cultural dimension of the potter. Designs on the products convey societies trends, art and culture, giving visual representation of our history. It is the historical factor that gives value to aesthetic traditional ceramic products.

Items or products under this category include porcelain. Porcelain is a beautiful traditional ceramic which comes in many shapes, colors and sizes. Some of them come in the form of pots that are used for food preparation. Others come in the form of tea cups, and plates for eating. However, the most common use of porcelain is to adorn our homes with flowers.

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G 2: Decorated Chinese porcelain cup produced with Traditional Ceramic materials.

2. Bricks which are used for building houses, fences and kerbs are of traditional ceramic origin. Bricks are prepared by the combination of finely ground and sorted shale, clay and sand. These basic materials are mixed with water to give them a consistency that is capable of being formed into shape. Thereafter, the bricks are dried and used as needed.

3. Interesting also, molds which are used in the metallurgical industry, are another form of traditional ceramic. This is because the basic constituents of traditional ceramics give them capacity to withstand high temperatures. The firing process which traditional ceramics undergo to make them hard, also prepares them to withstand very high temperatures.

ADVANCED CERAMICS

Advanced ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic materials which have been upgraded in form, structure and type from traditional ceramics.  The application of innovative modern technology enabled preparación de polvo cerámico from simple and basic structures, into advanced forms. This is why they are regarded as high performance ceramics,

Advanced ceramics require highly technical expertise and knowledge to produce as well as to process. Unlike traditional ceramics, the forerunner powdery raw materials are not handled mechanically. The powder is first densified through the sinterización process.This process entails either solid state sintering or liquid sintering.

In solid state sintering,  basic powdery materials are heated up until their elements rise up to the nape of the perimeter between two powder particles. Continuous heating of the powder leads to the eventual merging of the elements of the two particles, thereby closing up the pores and forming a bond.

In the liquid state sintering process, a chemical reactive is introduced to the basic raw material powder. The effect of the chemical triggers release of liquid from the powder particles. Eventually, the liquid vaporizes, leaving behind crystalline substances.

Types of advanced ceramics

a, Zirkonium is used either in powdery or crystalline form as Zirconium oxide It  has a monoclinic crystal structure at room temperature and cubic or tetrahedral structure at high temperatures.  The production process of Cerámica de zirconio is very difficult and expensive. Particularly, it requires laser cutting, as well as high precision techniques.

b. Aluminum nitride is produced either by direct nitrification of aluminum or synthesis of aluminum and nitrogen. It is made up of simple crystal structures and has high thermal expansivity as well as conductivity. Aluminum ceramic substrates are highly resistant to corrosives, but dissolve slowly in mineral acid and strong alkali solutions.

c. Boron nitride is a synthetic substance that is produced from nitrogen and boron. The resultant product comes in two crystalline forms, either as hexagonal boron nitride crystals or cubic boron nitride. This advanced ceramic has high thermal and conductive capacity, and is hard just like diamond.

d. Beryllium oxide is synthesised either through the carbothermal reduction of materials, or precipitation of materials that contain beryllium.

e. Silicon carbide is either derived from a rare mineral known as moissanite or from the synthesis of silicon and carbon. The compound is very useful as an industrial ceramic, especially in the production of semiconductor ceramics.

Uses of Advanced Ceramics

Advanced ceramics are chemically inert, and this feature enhances their use in very specialised and important circumstances as follows:

1. Aerospace engineering: Advanced ceramic substrates are used in the production of aircrafts parts. They lend strength and durability to aircraft parts. We offer standardized coating for your aviation parts which will ensure durability of your aircrafts.

2. Medical applications: Implants such as dental and leg implants are made from advanced ceramics. Advanced ceramics have an attribute of being highly tolerable and adapted to human skin tissue, so they are not rejected by body tissue. In the same vein, advanced ceramic substrates are used for medical optics and xray tubes.

FIG 3: Medical implant produced with Advanced Ceramic materials

3. Cosmetic preparation: Advanced ceramic substrates give a polished and smooth shine to cosmetic powders, when they are used for cosmetic preparation.

4. Ballistic equipment: The tensile feature advanced ceramic materials results to their in the production of bullets as well as bullet-proof materials.

5. Electronic and acoustic equipment: Advanced ceramic substrates are good semi-conductors of electricity. They have specialized use for radiofrequency and microwave appliances. They are therefore used in the production of specialized electrical and high voltage appliances.

6. Advanced ceramics are useful for formation of blades and other cutting instruments. The fact that they are not easily corroded or worn away makes the cutting materials durable despite regular use.

7. Silicon carbide materials are very suitable for cosmetic use. This is because of their resemblance to diamonds. Since diamonds are expensive, this offers a cheaper option for meeting your cosmetic needs.

CONCLUSION

We understand very well how the internal structure and composition of raw materials determine the final product. That is why we are very careful in preparación de materia prima and also ensure that inspección is done at each stage of our production process.

What are you waiting for? Explore our wide range of ceramic substrates and products and accomplish your unique industrial ceramic needs!