Properties of ceramics and glass

Ceramic Material Characteristics

Ceramics and glasses are inorganic, nonmetallic materials consisting of metallic and nonmetallic elements bonded primarily with ionic and covalent bonds. These high strength bonds give rise to the special characteristics of these materials. They occupy a unique place in the spectrum of engineered materials offering many desirable alternatives to the metals and polymers in common usage.

Table of Contents

General Characteristics of Structural Materials
Characteristic	Ceramics	Metals	Polymers
Density	Low to High	Low to High	Low
Hardness	High	Medium	Low
Tensile Strength	Low to Medium	High	Low
Compressive Strength	High	Medium to High	Low to Medium
Young’s Modulus	Medium to High	Low to High	Low
Melting Point	High	Low to High	Low
Dimensional Stability	High	Low to Medium	Low
Thermal Expansion	Low to Medium	Medium to High	High
Thermal Conductivity	Medium	Medium to High	Low
Thermal Shock	Low	Medium to High	High
Electrical Resistance	High	Low	High
Chemical Resistance	High	Low to Medium	Medium
Oxidation Resistance	Medium to High	Low	Low
Machinability	Medium	Low	Medium

. There are wide variations in the properties of ceramics and glasses due primarily to differences in bonding and wide variations in chemical composition. However, as a materials class, the following characteristics are typical.
	Low to moderate density compared to metals
	High modulus of elasticity (stiffness)
	Good strength retention at elevated temperatures
	Resistant to high temperature creep
	Dimensional stability
	High compressive strength
	Low to moderate tensile and shear strength
	High hardness
	Corrosion and oxidation resistant
	Good electrical insulation properties
	Wide range of thermal conductivity
	Wide range of thermal expansion coefficient
	Brittle
	Low impact strength
	Sensitive to thermal shock

uses of ceramics;

Uses of Ceramics

Ceramic products are hard, porous, and brittle. As a result, they are used to make pottery, bricks, tiles, cements, and glass. Ceramics are also used at many places in gas turbine engines. Bio-ceramics are used as dental implants and synthetic bones. Given below are some other important uses of ceramics.

Uses of Whitewares

Whitewares find application in spark plugs, electrical insulators, laboratory equipments, crucibles, dishes, and high-class potteries.

Uses of Clay

Clay is the starting raw material for manufacturing bricks, tiles, terracotta, pottery, earthenwares, sewer, drain pipes, and covers for electrical cables.

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Uses of Stonewares

Stonewares are used for constructing sanitary fixtures, such as sinks and bath tubs. Stonewares are also used in the construction of piping vessels, drainage pipes, underground cable sheathings, sewerage pipes, home pipes, absorption towers, valves, and pumps in the chemical industry. They are cheaper than many other construction materials but are rather fragile and once broken, they have no resale value.

Uses of Glass

The main use of glass is to make household glassware, decorative items, and optical lenses. Glasses are used for heat insulation purposes, for example, in ovens. Glass is used as an insulator in metal pipelines, in vacuum cleaners, and on the walls and roofs of houses. Glass is resistant to chemicals. As a result, it is used to filter corrosive liquids such as acids and acid solutions. It is also used for sound insulation. Safety glass is used in aircraft, automobiles, helicopter, and submarines. Glass can also be…