Ceramics

Engineering Studies – P1 Fundamental Engineering  –  Materials and Manufacturing

This topic introduces ceramic material types and applications. Key concepts include identifying potential applications and advantages of ceramic material and describing manufacturing methods used with various ceramics.

Key Concepts

• Definition of ceramic material
• Ceramic types
• Properties and applications of ceramics
• Glass
• Concrete
• Ceramic shaping methods

Discussion Questions

Ceramics

1. Define a ceramic material.
2. Describe the different types of ceramics in terms of composition/structure.
3. Describe the different types of ceramics in terms of properties.
4. Describe the advantages of common ceramics – brick, tile and concrete as construction materials.
5. Describe common shaping methods used for clay ceramic

Concrete

1. What are the properties of concrete that make it suitable for civil structures?
2. What features would be shown and labelled when drawing a macrostructure of concrete?

Bricks

1. What material is used in common house bricks?
2. How are bricks manufactured?
3. What features would be drawn and labelled in a macrostructure of a ceramic brick?

Glass

1. What glass is used in common window glass?
2. How is common window glass manufactured?
3. What features would be drawn and labelled when drawing a microstructure of glass?
4. Describe a common shaping method used for window glass.