Today ceramic materials have become a go-to material in various industry.
From the aerospace to telecommunications and even to the medical industry, ceramic materials had gained wide usage.
But why is this so, what’s all the fuss about, and is it really worth the hype.
let’s see
What Are Ceramic Materials?
Contrary to the things you might have heard.
Ceramic materials are non metallic, they’re not metals, but yes, they’re as strong as metals.
Think of them as inorganic materials, that are finessed into desired end results through heating.
They are made through the heating and hardening of other natural materials.
Although the composition of ceramic materials differs, but generally they composed of carbides, nitrides and even oxides.
Among others, these are the constituents that makes them strong and durable.
While we’ve established earlier that ceramics aren’t metals, you might be pleased to know that they don’t conduct electricity.
And similarly, they do not wear easily, and this makes them very useful in many industries.
Moreover, don’t be fazed by the complex name, advanced ceramics are really just a type of ceramics with advanced features.
So yes, both ceramics and advanced ceramics are very useful in many industries.
What AreThe Properties Of Ceramic Materials?
Ceramics are indeed worth all the fuss, they have very unique properties that makes them very valuable in many industries.
However, these properties differ based on the specific ceramic classification.
Let’s take a look at the various types of properties that make each ceramic classification.
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Excellent Strength And Hardness
Ceramic materials are well known for being very hard.
Unlike most metals, they are hard and also do not wear easily, they are also resistant to scratches.
This feature has gained them wild usage in various industries.
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Excellent Resistance To Heat
Another important feature of ceramics is that they can survive very high temperatures without becoming faulty or melting like metals.
So, industries like the aerospace and manufacturing industry where extreme heat is generated, use them so well.
Advanced ceramics are especially famous for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
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Electrical Insulation
As said earlier, ceramics are also known for not conducting electricity.
For example, electrical insulators, transformers or circuit boards, use ceramic materials because of these characteristics.
Infact, you should know that some advanced ceramic materials are specially designed to conduct electricity based on selection.
This makes them very important for electronics.
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Resistance To Chemicals
You should know that ceramic classification is also influenced by how well a material is resistant to chemicals.
Many ceramics are resistant to corrosion, acids and other chemicals.
So this has earned them a wide usage in the medical industry, laboratories and several others.
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Lightweight
Although ceramics are hard, and strong, you might be pleased to know that they are very lightweight unlike metals.
So, for industries like automotive that need strong materials that are also lightweight, they heavily use ceramics.
What Are The Classification/Types Of Ceramic Materials?
Ceramic classification has to do with things like properties, structure and other composition of the material.
We have quite a number of different ceramics, based on the specific need and application.
We have some types that are best employed for traditional purposes.
Advanced ceramics on the other hand are designed for industry with more complexities.
Listed below are the major ceramic classification, let’s see:
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Traditional Ceramics
Natural substances like clay are used to make this types of ceramic.
They are most common in producing household and construction materials.
This is what I mean:
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Structural Ceramics
They are used in making tiles, pipes and even bricks.
This is due to their excellent strength and the fact that they’re durable.
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Whiteware Ceramics
These types are used to produce household materials.
Examples are porcelain, china, sanitaryware, china and many more.
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Refractory Ceramics
These types are used in kilns and furnaces.
They are made to remain functional even under extreme temperatures.
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Advanced Ceramics
You’ve probably seen and heard this name several times without a number.
Advanced ceramics are a unique type of ceramic with much more remarkable benefits, like excellent strength, durability and many more.
They’ve gained a wide usage in the aerospace, medical and even telecommunications industry.
So let’s take a look at the ceramic classification of advanced ceramics:
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Oxide Ceramics
These are made using materials like alumina or zirconia.
They are mostly used in making biomedical implants.
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Non-Oxide Ceramics
These types of ceramics have carbides and nitrides as well.
This components makes them very strong and very resistant to heat
They are used in the defense industry
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Piezoelectric Ceramics
We earlier established that some types of ceramics are now designed to generate electricity selectively.
This is one of such types.
When they’re subjected to lots of pressure, they generate electricity.
They are used in gas sensors and also ultrasound equipments.
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Electronic Ceramics
These types are also classified under the advanced ceramic types.
They are employed in the production of electronic gadgets.
These types have excellent properties ranging from magnetic to electrical.
Below are some examples of electronic ceramics:
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Capacitor Ceramics
They are used inside electrical circuits for storing and releasing electric energy.
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Superconducting Ceramics
These types are used in MRI machines and they also foster excellent power transmissions.
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Magnetic Ceramics
Magnetic ceramics are employed in the production of antennas and transformers.
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Composite Ceramics
These types incorporate the features of several types of ceramics to enhance it’s attributes.
In situations where traditional ceramics and other types may not perform well, they are usually the best fit.
These are the various types of it:
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Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC)
These types are lightweight.
This feature is widely used in the automotive and as well the aerospace industry.
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Bio-Ceramic Composites
These types are used in the medical space.
Instances of usage are dental implants and also bone grafting.
They do not cause infections when in contact with the human body.
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Thermal Barrier Coatings
They are great for protecting metal surfaces from intense heat
They are used in turbines and engines.
What Are The Uses Of Ceramic Materials?
Just as we’ve earlier established, ceramic materials have excellent qualities and characteristics.
From resistance to heat, to excellent strength, they’ve earned a wide usage in various industries.
However, the ceramic classification influences how they are used and when they are applied.
Below are some of their applications:
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Architecture & Construction
Ceramics that fall under the traditional ceramic classification like cement and bricks are commonly used in construction and architecture.
They are very durable and they can withstand extreme weather.
This makes them a perfect fit for construction.
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Aerospace & Defense
Advanced ceramics are widely used in the aerospace and defense industries.
Likewise, some ceramic materials like ceramic matrix composites (CMC) have a common application in space shuttles.
This is because they have an excellent heat resistance and they are lightweight as well.
Ceramic classification in the defense sector are missile compartments, and even bulletproof armour.
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Electronics and Electrical Engineering
Electronic ceramics have a very important use in the making of circuit boards.
Similarly, in the production of transformers and antennas, magnetic ceramics plays a very important role.
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Medical & Healthcare
Advanced ceramics are very important in the medical industry.
Certain bio ceramic materials like alumina are commonly used for bone replacement and also dental implants.
These materials are indispensable as they do not cause infection when they come in contact with the human body.
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Automotive And Transportation
Ceramic materials also have an important use in the automotive sector.
Certain automobile compartments like brake pads, heat shields and several others use ceramics materials.
This is as a result of their durability and due to the fact that they are resistant to heat.
Similar certain advanced ceramic materials are used for gas sensors.
Benefits Of Ceramic Materials
Truly the benefits of ceramic materials are almost endless.
They are strong, they have excellent resistance to heat, and they last long.
The fact that they do not corrode like metals earns them a wide usage in the aerospace and manufacturing sectors.
Similarly, advanced ceramics have an impressive capability to withstand heat, making them suitable for use for jet engines.
Similarly in electronics, ceramics help to prevent overheating.
The vast ceramic classification makes it possible for industries to choose the most suitable one.
Thus making them indispensable in modern usage.
In Conclusion
Over time, ceramic materials have proved to be a game changer in several industries.
From the tiles underneath our feet to the greatest technologies that you can’t go a day without using.
Ceramics power each of them.
So yes, ceramic materials are really worth the hype.