As a window to a lifetime of experiment and creative expression in clay, as a glimpse into the wellsprings of inspiration, and as a story of humanity, Hands in Clay offers a compelling introduction to ceramics.

All Refractories Are Ceramics but Not All Ceramics Are Refractories Ceramics and refractories cover a wide range of fields and applications, and their relevance can be traced as far back as 24,000 BC to the first man-made piece of earthenware, and as recently as the late 1900s when ceramics and ceramic matrix composites were developed to withstand ultra-high temperatures. Beginning with a detailed history of ceramics, An Introduction to Ceramics and Refractories examines every aspect of ceramics and refractories, and explores the connection between them. The book establishes refractories as a class of ceramics with high fusion points, introduces the fundamentals of refractories and ceramics, and also addresses several applications for each. Understand Ceramic Properties and Refractory Behavior The book details applications for natural and synthetic ceramics, as well as traditional and engineering applications. It focuses on the various thermal and thermo-mechanical properties of ceramics, classifies refractories, describes the principles of thermodynamics as applied to refractories, and highlights new developments and applications in the ceramic and refractory fields. It also presents end-of-chapter problems and a relevant case study. Divided into three sections, this text: Introduces and details the applications of ceramics and refractories Discusses the selection of materials and the two stages in selection Describes the phase equilibriums in ceramic and refractory systems Outlines the three important systems: unary, binary, and ternary Considers corrosion of ceramics and refractories, failures in ceramics and refractories, and the design aspects Addresses bonding, structures of ceramics, defects in ceramics, and ceramics’ microstructures Covers the production of ceramic powders starting from the raw materials Explains four forming methods Highlights three types of thermal treatments Defines mechanical properties, and thermal and thermo-mechanical properties Classifies materials and designates classes Addressing topics that include corrosion, applications, thermal properties, and types of refractories, An Introduction to Ceramics and Refractories provides you with a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of refractories and ceramics, and presents a clear connection between refractory behavior and ceramic properties to the practicing engineer.

Over the past twenty-five years ceramics have become key materials in the development of many new technologies as scientists have been able to design these materials with new structures and properties. An understanding of the factors that influence their mechanical behavior and reliability is essential. This book will introduce the reader to current concepts in the field. It contains problems and exercises to help readers develop their skills. This is a comprehensive introduction to the mechanical properties of ceramics, and is designed primarily as a textbook for advanced undergraduates in materials science and engineering. It will also be of value as a supplementary text for more general courses and to industrial scientists and engineers involved in the development of ceramic-based products, materials selection and mechanical design.

Updated and improved, this revised edition of Michel Barsoum's classic text Fundamentals of Ceramics presents readers with an exceptionally clear and comprehensive introduction to ceramic science. Barsoum offers introductory coverage of ceramics, their structures, and properties, with a distinct emphasis on solid state physics and chemistry. Key equations are derived from first principles to ensure a thorough understanding of the concepts involved. The book divides naturally into two parts. Chapters 1 to 9 consider bonding in ceramics and their resultant physical structures, and the electrical, thermal, and other properties that are dependent on bonding type. The second part (Chapters 11 to 16) deals with those factors that are determined by microstructure, such as fracture and fatigue, and thermal, dielectric, magnetic, and optical properties. Linking the two sections is Chapter 10, which describes sintering, grain growth, and the development of microstructure. Fundamentals of Ceramics is ideally suited to senior undergraduate and graduate students of materials science and engineering and related subjects.

Most people would be surprised at how ceramics are used, from creating cellular phones, radio, television, and lasers to its role in medicine for cancer treatments and restoring hearing. The Magic of Ceramics introduces the nontechnical reader to the many exciting applications of ceramics, describing how ceramic material functions, while teaching key scientific concepts like atomic structure, color, and the electromagnetic spectrum. With many illustrations from corporations on the ways in which ceramics make advanced products possible, the Second Edition also addresses the newest areas in ceramics, such as nanotechnology.