luni, 12 martie 2012

The Many Faces of Ceramic

By Matt Osborne


A ceramic is an inorganic solid prepared by the act of heat and subsequent cooling. In other words, ceramic is a material utilized to create things. It is a really extensive word that covers any kind of material composed of inorganic crystalline components. Ceramic is a flexible substance that's as old as civilization itself, but still has several sensible applications nowadays.

The art of ceramics has been in existence for thousands of years. The word ceramic derives from the Greek word keramikos, that means "of pottery". The earliest ceramic materials are dated from 27 thousand years back. These figurines were manufactured from a fire-hardened clay substance. Down the road, ceramics had been glazed to make a smooth surface that was often hued for ornamental purposes.

Ceramic has evolved from very simple gray clay pottery to glazed as well as finished materials in numerous designs and colours. Nowadays ceramic items can be found in anything from building materials to art items. During the 20th century, new ceramic components had been invented to be used in sophisticated ceramic design such as in semiconductors.

Ceramic products are usually split into 4 categories: structural, refractories, whitewares, and technical. Structural ceramics include things like tiles for floors and roofs, bricks and pipes. These are often designed to be strong and structurally sound. Refractories have to withstand tremendous heat and are employed in kiln lining, gas fire radiants, and glass creating crucibles. Whitewares include white ceramic items in the home like tableware, cookware, pottery products, and appliances such as toilets and sinks. These objects are made of components like earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, and bone china. Finally, technical ceramic is employed in uses from the space shuttle program to biomedical implants.

Ceramics are used almost everywhere and can be found in the most strange places. For example, ceramics are being used in dental implants as these components merge easily to bone as well as other tissues within the body without rejection. Watchmakers are now making high-tech white ceramic watches due to the material's light weight, resistance to scratches, as well as durability. Because of their light, still sturdy structure, ceramics are likewise usually used in bullet-proof vests as an approach to repel big caliber rifle fire. Even some knife blades utilize ceramic components to ensure the blade stays sharper longer compared to conventional steel.

From its humble origins as a material for making clay pots, to the advanced scientific applications of today, ceramic has come a long way. You may be surprised how many ceramic things you locate while searching your house, from the white ceramic vase at the corner to the tiles that line your kitchen floor. Ceramic is everywhere and will still play an important part in our modern lives.




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