Materials chemistry

Technical ceramics, special glasses

Relate bonding, defects and microstructure to the thermal, mechanical, optical and electrical functions of advanced ceramics and glasses.

1 Lower secondary 2 Upper secondary 3 Undergraduate 4 Advanced 5 Research

IntuitionProcessing sets performance

Compare ordered coordination polyhedra in a ceramic crystal with a disordered glass network; local bonding may remain similar while long-range order disappears.

SchoolFamilies and structure

Definition: Technical ceramic

Example

Solution

σf ≈ 4/[√(π×10⁻⁵)] MPa ≈ 7.1×10² MPa. The estimate assumes a sharp flaw and linear-elastic fracture mechanics.

Examples of functional ceramic and glass families
Material	Useful feature
Alumina	Hard, insulating, wear resistant
Zirconia	Transformation toughening
Borosilicate glass	Low thermal expansion; thermal-shock resistance

UndergraduateProcessing, defects and function

References

Introduction to Ceramics, 2nd Edition · W. D. Kingery, H. K. Bowen, D. R. Uhlmann, 1976