Defining what the term “ceramic” means is not simple, as there is no single definition on which everyone agrees; there are in fact various definitions depending on the point of view adopted. We can thus consider the points of view of a historian, a scientist (physicist, chemist, etc.), an engineer or a manufacturer.
Historically, ceramics is related to terracotta, pottery, fired clays and arts. Ceramic is traditionally defined as high temperature firing of clay that causes an
irreversible physicochemical transformation.
Physicists – electronic structure Ceramics is any material related to oxides (conductors, semi-conductors, isolators)
Chemists – inter-molecular bonding forces Ceramics is material having strong polycrystalline molecular bond type.
Material science – organic,metalic,inorganic Ceramics is material related to inorganic and non-metallic subtances Examples: compounds of carbides, nitrides, silicides, borides
Dictionary of Ceramic Science and Eng.: Any inorganic and non-metallic product prepared by treatment at temperatures higher than 540°C including metallic oxides and borides, carbides, nitrides and mixtures of these compounds
Concise Encyclopedia of Advanced Ceramic Matl: Ceramics are inorganic non-metallic compounds, primarily oxides, also nitrides,carbides, silicides; contain at least 30% of crystallized phases in volume; exhibit a fragile behavior, with a stress-strain curve obeys Hooke’s law of linear elasticity
“Ceramic materials are synthetic materials, mainly composed of iono-covalent inorganic phases, not fully amorphous, and generally consolidated by the sintering at high temperatures of a powdery “compact” formed into the shape of the desired object,the starting powders being frequently prepared from crushed rocks”
Historically, ceramics is related to terracotta, pottery, fired clays and arts. Ceramic is traditionally defined as high temperature firing of clay that causes an
irreversible physicochemical transformation.
Physicists – electronic structure Ceramics is any material related to oxides (conductors, semi-conductors, isolators)
Chemists – inter-molecular bonding forces Ceramics is material having strong polycrystalline molecular bond type.
Material science – organic,metalic,inorganic Ceramics is material related to inorganic and non-metallic subtances Examples: compounds of carbides, nitrides, silicides, borides
Dictionary of Ceramic Science and Eng.: Any inorganic and non-metallic product prepared by treatment at temperatures higher than 540°C including metallic oxides and borides, carbides, nitrides and mixtures of these compounds
Concise Encyclopedia of Advanced Ceramic Matl: Ceramics are inorganic non-metallic compounds, primarily oxides, also nitrides,carbides, silicides; contain at least 30% of crystallized phases in volume; exhibit a fragile behavior, with a stress-strain curve obeys Hooke’s law of linear elasticity
“Ceramic materials are synthetic materials, mainly composed of iono-covalent inorganic phases, not fully amorphous, and generally consolidated by the sintering at high temperatures of a powdery “compact” formed into the shape of the desired object,the starting powders being frequently prepared from crushed rocks”
