This book was written to help ceramists to understand the subject of rheology as it applies to suspensions. Topics discussed include viscosity and rheology fundamentals, syneresis and dilatancy and their causes and effects in ceramic process systems, the rheological effects of gelation, flocculation, and deflocculation, as well as the different types of viscometers that can be used to measure rheological properties. Many practical considerations are included throughout this book. The discussion in the final chapter covers the methods available to adjust and control suspension rheologies in the ceramic process environment. This book will be valuable reading and a handy reference for all ceramists, including students, technicians, engineers, managers, and artists, who want to learn more about the rheology of suspensions.

Polymerie materials have been replacing other conventional materials like metals, glass and wood in a number of applications. The use of various types of fillers incorporated into the polymer has become quite common as a means of reducing cost and to impart certain desirable mechanieal, thermal, electrieal and magnetic properties to the polymers. Oue to the energy crisis and high priees of petrochemieals, there has been a greater demand to use more and more fillers to cheapen the polymerie materials while maintaining and/or improving their properties. The advantages that filled polymer systems have to offer are normally offset to some extent by the increased complexity in the rheological behavior that is introduced by the inclusion of the fillers. Usually when the use of fillers is considered, a compromise has to be made between the improved mechanieal properties in the solid state, the increased difficulty in melt processing, the problem of achieving uniform dispersion of the filler in the polymer matrix and the economics of the process due to the added step of compounding. It has been recognized that addition of filler to the polymer brings a change in processing behavior. The presence of the filler increases the melt viscosity leading to increases in the pressure drop across the die but gives rise to less die swell due to decreased melt elasticity.

This book is primarily an introduction to the vast family of ceramic materials. The first part is devoted to the basics of ceramics and processes: raw materials, powders synthesis, shaping and sintering. It discusses traditional ceramics as well as “technical” ceramics – both oxide and non-oxide – which have multiple developments. The second part focuses on properties and applications, and discusses both structural and functional ceramics, including bioceramics. The fields of abrasion, cutting and tribology illustrate the importance of mechanical properties. It also deals with the questions/answers of a ceramicist regarding electronuclear technology. As chemistry is an essential discipline for ceramicists, the book shows, in particular, what soft chemistry can contribute as a result of sol-gel methods.