PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS; PROPERTIES OF GLASS

CONTENT

Properties of Ceramics

1. Definition of Ceramics
2. Classification of Ceramic Materials
3. Properties of Ceramics

Properties of Glass

1. Definition of Glass
2. Properties of Glass
3. Uses of Glass

Properties of Ceramics

Definition of Ceramics

Clay exists naturally in many parts of the world. When it is wet, it can easily be molded into different shapes and sizes. We use clay to mould various objects like storage pots, cooking pots and dishes.

We use mud to construct support for cooking pots, to build houses and also to make bricks for building houses. We make cement blocks that we use for building houses by mixing sand and cement to get typical shape. All the above solid objects made from clay, mud or cement are called ceramics.

Ceramics break easily when dropped. We say they are brittle; this differentiates ceramics from metals, plastics, wood and rubber. Ceramics are less dense than most metals. They have high melting points.

They are a very large group and have very wide uses such as:

1. Refractory ceramics (high temperature bricks) for furnaces and flue linings.
2. Tiles, such as roof tiles, glazed and unglazed floor and wall tiles, including white tiles.
3. Sanitary fittings of all kinds usually known as white ware
4. Common brick to high grade engineering brick used for the construction of machinery bases. Basically, they are of:

(a) Structural clay products, including common bricks and sewer bricks. These products are dried and fired for strength after being made from a mixture of clay and shale.