Fundamentals of Ceramics

Ceramic is a material that consists of an inorganic compound of metal or non-metal atoms that are held in ionic and covalent bonds. Some of the physical properties which are generally associated with them are hardness, brittleness, resistance to chemical erosion and ability to withstand very high temperatures. They are broadly divided on the basis of their structure into crystalline ceramics and noncrystalline ceramics. They can also be classified as oxides, non-oxides and composite materials. Some of the modern ceramic materials are aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and tungsten carbide. There are numerous applications of ceramics such as in carbon-ceramic brake disks, ballistic armored vests and dental implants. The topics included in this book on ceramic materials are of utmost significance and bound to provide incredible insights to readers. Different approaches, evaluations and advanced studies on ceramic materials have been included in it. The coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge.