Ceramics

Introduction:

The scientific definition of ceramic material is an organic compound that contains at least  one metallic and one non-metallic element.

The science of ceramics, nearly as old as mankind, is the processing of earthy material by heat. The word "ceramic comes from the Greek word κεραμικός (keramikos),"of pottery" or for pottery. Clay was one of the earliest materials used to produce ceramics, as pottery, but many different ceramic materials are now used in domestic, industrial and scientific products. All the early ceramic products were made from clay because the ware could be easily formed. It was then dried and fired to develop the permanent structure and strength. Later ceramics were glazed and fired to create smooth, colored surfaces, decreasing porosity through the use of glassy, amorphous ceramic coatings on top of the crystalline ceramic substances. Other forming methods used for ceramics are hot pressing, sintering and moulding. In case of cements, water is used to harden the jobs.