Ceramic Sintering

Sintering is part of the firing process used in the manufacture of pottery and other ceramic objects. Some ceramic raw materials have a lower affinity for water and a lower plasticity index than clay, requiring organic additives in the stages before sintering. The general procedure of creating ceramic objects via sintering of powders includes:

• Mixing water, binder, deflocculant, and unfired ceramic powder to form a slurry
• Spray-drying the slurry
• Putting the spray dried powder into a mold and pressing it to form a green body (an unsintered ceramic item)
• Heating the green body at low temperature to burn off the binder
• Sintering at a high temperature to fuse the ceramic particles together

All the characteristic temperatures associated to phases transformation, glass transitions and melting points, occurring during a sinterisation cycle of a particular ceramics formulation (i.e. tails and frits) can be easily obtained by observing the expansion-temperature curves during optical dilatometer thermal analysis. In fact, sinterisation is associated to a remarkable shrinkage of the material because glass phases flow, once their transition temperature is reached, and start consolidating the powdery structure and considerably reducing the porosity of the material.

There are two types of sintering: with pressure (also known as hot pressing), and without pressure. Pressureless sintering is possible with graded metal-ceramic composites, with a nanoparticle sintering aid and bulk molding technology. A variant used for 3D shapes is called hot isostatic pressing.

To allow efficient stacking of product in the furnace during sintering and prevent parts sticking together, many manufacturers separate ware using Ceramic Powder Separator Sheets. These sheets are available in various materials such as alumina, zirconia and magnesia. They are also available in fine medium and coarse particle sizes. By matching the material and particle size to the ware being sintered, surface damage and contamination can be reduced while maximizing furnace loading.

Ceramic Straighteners

There are many points to consider in finding the right ceramic hair straighteners for you. Brand will probably be a major factor when selecting your new hair straightener, and the first name that springs to everyone's mind is GHD. There are, however, many manufacturers out there to choose from for all requirements, and budgets. From Corioliss, producing exclusive designs such as the C2 crystal (no WAG's dressing table would be complete without one!) through to trusted old favourites such as Remington, Morphy Richards and Babyliss - there is much more to think about than just a name. Ceramic hair straighteners come in a rainbow of colours and offer a number of functions. Whatever your budget, you'll want a straightener with some basic features. Let's run through some of them.

Safety first. Even basic straighteners must have a heat resistant handle. Some come with a heat resistant mat too and, if yours don't, you should consider investing in one. Heat resistant mats are readily available and inexpensive - particularly in comparison with scorched furniture!

How many times have you arrived at work and had that sinking feeling you've left your straighteners on? By choosing a model with an automatic shut off function, you can rest at ease. A timer in the unit will turn your straighteners off for you after a set period of time.

An automatic heat control sensor will ensure there is even heat distribution across the plates.

A light indicator will let you know when your straighteners are hot enough to us. Better still, a digital display will take the guess work out of straightening, letting you know exactly what temperature the plates have reached.

Multiple heat settings allow you to suit the temperature of your straighteners to the needs of your own hair. Thick and very curly hair requires more heat. This hair-type is particularly prone to damage and you may think more heat is the last thing it needs. A higher plate temperature, however, cuts down styling time, reducing the number of strokes required to straighten each section and is actually beneficial, particularly since the effects are much longer lasting. In contrast, fine hair needs less heat. By selecting the correct heat setting according to hair-type, styling time is reduced, the effects are longer lasting, and, most important of all, you minimise the risk of damage.

Ceramic straighteners give even heat distribution across the plates, making straightening faster and easier. They warm up quickly - some in less than 10 seconds! The smooth plates reduce static and flatten hair cuticles, making frizz a thing of the past!. Excessive styling can take its toll on your hair. Ceramic plates keep damage to a minimum as styling time is reduced, the effect is longer lasting and plate hot spots are eliminated.

Tourmaline straighteners are the latest innovation in the haircare world! Previously, these were available only to salons and hair professionals, and since their arrival on the mass marketplace, tourmaline straighteners have become a best-selling heat-styling appliance! Tourmaline is a semi-precious stone which is ground down to a fine powder and infused into the straighteners' plates. Tourmaline gives a negative ion output which eliminates frizz creating beautiful, shiny, super-straight hair! Tourmaline plates reduce styling time - a section can take just 25 seconds! Less time styling is not just good news for you, but excellent news for your hair!

Ionic straighteners are great for brittle, frizzy and colour-treated hair. Negative ions are very important when we straighten hair. Positive charges are present in all hair. They ruffle hair cuticles causing hair to lose its shine and giving a frizzy look. The ionic straightener redresses the the balance, creating negative ions. These negative ions cancel out positive charges, smoothing hair cuticles and giving hair a sleek, glossy look, whilst sealing in your hair's own natural oils.

Cordless straighteners are perfect for your suitcase, or even handbag - they're perfect for people on the go! Maybe you're just tired of getting in a ravel with your straightener's wire's cord. Then cordless straighteners are for you!

Steam straighteners can be used on damp hair, eliminating the need to blow dry hair before use. This not only cuts back on styling time, but creates less heat damage to hair. Steam hair straighteners are great for very curly or thick hair. The shot of steam packs some punch in eliminating those stubborn kinks! Many models come with ceramic plates reducing warm-up time and ensuring even distribution of heat across the plate, giving a gorgeous, shiny, sleek look!

Straighteners with brush attachments or de-tangling prongs work well on curly hair too. The prongs smooth out hair without causing damage or breakage.

Ceramic Straightener

Summer is here bringing with it that winter missed sun and its lovely rays. But as much as we are enjoying that warmth, it brings with it some not so nice consequences: frizz. No matter your hair texture the humidity associated with summer and the damage associated with its activities: swimming, tanning, saltwater, is going to cause your tresses to look less then perfect and harder to tame. No one wants to walk around with a loofa for hair but most of us, unfortunately do.

In the winter, our hair straighteners have a prominent place on our vanities. In the summer they get tucked away out of reach of temptation. The source of that handy little tool's magic is in its heat and lets all face it, during the summer we get enough of that. There has been a reprieve however from our woes. The ceramic hair straightener is the straightener we have all been waiting for. It is made up of ceramic coated alloy plates and uses an infrared heating system that not only heats it quicker and more thoroughly but it causes less damage to your hair. This means no matter the season or how often you use it, your hair will remain at its best.

The infrared heat locks in moisture leaving your hair soft and supple. This is much more manageable then the frizzy mess you would otherwise be dealing with. Add a little extra conditioner perhaps of the leave in variety and you will all but eliminate the damage occurring from what heat is used. The best thing about these newer models is that not only does it cause less damage but most can be used on dry or damp hair. This saves quite a bit of time on those mornings when you are rushed or late for work. This also eliminates the need for a blow dryer which is another source of heat.

So, when you are standing in front of your mirror surveying the results of your summer hair don't fret over those frizzy ends. Ceramic hair straighteners are professional and provide stylish results at a reasonable price. Just pop out to the store and pick up one of those babies and you will be standing in front of your mirror admiring the sleek smoothness instead of cringing and trying to tame it into a pony tail or bun. Summer will start looking even brighter then before.

Ceramic History

Since the beginning of the history of Mexican ceramics, ceramics took a prevailing place in the lives of Mexican people. Since the appearance of the Olmec culture, which is considered to be the "mother of the Mesoamerican cultures," anthropomorphic figures, vessels and various types of utensils found in the archaeological ruins of the ancient Olmec cities of Tajin, San Lorenzo, La Venta and Tres Zapotes, all suggest the techniques they used in their ceramics: use of clay, knowledge of some primitive firing techniques and their ways of painting designs and coloring.

The Olmecs (1500 B.C. - 800 A.D.) left their knowledge to the future cultures.

The Teotihuacans transcended their era (1500 B.C. - 800 A.D) made most of their vessels with clay and decorated them with a variety of techniques: mainly stucco, smoothing and painting.

The Aztecs (1325 A.D. - 1521 A.D.) pottery varied widely. They made all types of earthenware, pots, cups, jugs and plates, mostly with orange and red clay.

The Mixtecs stood out for their polychrome lacquer ceramics. After polishing each piece, they would cover it with white stucco and then paint over it.

Over to the north of Mexico the Casas Grandes (100 A.D. - 1360 A.D.) produced beautiful polychrome ceramic. They made them basically with geometric motives and influences from the Mimbres Culture.

Every region had its own unique characteristics of Mexican ceramics. Yet, in all these cultures, the potter himself was given very much importance. The Aztecs summed it up this way:

"A good potter:

• He puts great care into his work,
• He teaches the clay to lie,
• He speaks with his own heart,
• He brings life to things,
• He creates them,
• He knows everything as if he were a Toltee
• He makes his hands skillful."

The same ancient techniques used to make Mexican ceramics are still being used today in some parts of Mexico. These groups were able to preserve the artistic techniques such as coil building, natural pigments and open firing.

This colorful ceramic decor will make any room or patio come to life. What room would you like to decorate with colorful Mexican ceramics. It's easier than you think and I am more than happy to help.

Shiwan Ceramics

The old Shiwan Ceramic Town at the kilns twenty miles south of the city of Canton in Guangdong province. This is the most famous city in China in creating ceramic products nearly 500 years. Most of the National Master-pieces and Museum pieces created there have been being collected in the national museum and by collectors all over the world.

Shiwan Ceramics was shaped in Tang and Song Dynasty (618-906AD) and flourished in Ming and Qing Dynasty.

The main products such as artistic ceramics, ancient garden ceramics, Spanish-type roof tile, western-style roof tile, stone-resembled tile, stone-porcelain tile, artistic garden tile, etc. are famous worldwide, especially statues. There a professional team of art masters has inherited and developed the outstanding tradition of Shiwan ceramic techniques ranging from lively earthen figures, statues and animals with thick and earthy ceramic glaze, to modern ceramics of plain, elegant and fresh patterns, thus forming its own unique artistic style and making Shiwan ceramic techniques extraordinarily splendid.

The artistic ceramics of Shiwan are divided into four types of figures, animals, micro-sculpts and daily utensils, of which the figure ceramics is granted the national Golden Medal in three consecutive times, the animal ceramics is granted the Hundred Flowers Medal and Silver Cup Medal, micro-sculpt and daily utensils are granted Quality Product Medal of Guangdong Province. Following the principle of "quality product" is based upon elaboration, each piece of ceramics with "signs" of the art masters is produced via six complicated procedures (including design, plaster molding, pouring slurry for figuration, amending cog, glazing and burning).

Ceramic Flooring

Today there are a new option for people who wish to decorate their homes with ceramic floor tiles. And that is to have paint ceramic floor tiles that are painted to their liking. This is really a nice option for creative individuals, who can express them self this way, and paint their rooms this way. Also, it can allow you to break the monotony of the usual dark tones that most ceramic tiles are produced with, and paint ceramic floor tiles to vivid colors, which will enhance your enjoyment in the space where you place them.

These paint ceramic floor tiles are produced by painting them manually, by hand, to your liking. This can be done for you by people who specialized in that. You can try and look up for some of those tiles in stores that are specialized for ceramic tiles in general. Or you can try and get in touch with people who are making them through the Internet.

These paint ceramic floor tiles, that are painted by hand, often follow certain motives, like a field of flowers, or some other nature theme, or they can portray something totally different. The only thing that links all of these tiles is that they are original. Perhaps, you can even say they are a work of art. Of course, they are more expensive than usual tiles. Manual work necessary for creating them always come at a cost.

These paint ceramic floor tiles can take various positions on the floor where they are placed. They can just take the border tiles, but sometimes they can be placed in the middle of the floor, and form some sort of a mosaic there.

These paint ceramic floor tiles are usually created by coloring white glazed tiles with various paint.

To paint ceramic floor tiles one should probably have artistic talents, for as we mentioned, most people who are looking for these tiles are regarding them as certain works of art. Also, they really want to decorate their rooms with them, not just merely place tiles in them. These paint ceramic floor tiles can be used for decorating various rooms in ones home. They are, however, most often used in living rooms, children bedrooms, and recreational areas. And if you are a person looking to buy some of these tiles you too should have in mind that they are a work of art, and unique. Therefore you should not expect to get them whenever you want, as it is unlikely that the artist who created them will create a similar work.

Apart from the aesthetic reasons, these tiles should be considered for their other benefits like the fact that they are easy to maintain, simply due to the fact that they are ceramic tiles. Also, they are highly resistant to moist, and and various stains.

To conclude, if you want a functional, yet artistic addition to your home had painted ceramic tiles could just the thing for you.

Ceramic Hardness

Ceramics are inorganic non-metallic materials. Metal oxides are ordinary examples of ceramics, but other Elements such as carbides and nitrides are additionally incorporated. Porcelain, glass, bricks and refractory resources are various examples of traditional ceramics. In the last 30 years, advances in material science have transformed formerly brittle ceramics into materials tough sufficient to resist engine environments.

Hardness is resistance of material to plastic bend caused by indentation. Occasionally hardness Applies to resistance of material to scratching or abrasion. In various cases relatively quick and minimal hardness test could substitute tensile test. Resistance may be measured from a small sample of material without Breaking it.

Hardness is one of the most commonly measured Characteristics of a ceramic. Its value helps to characterize resistance to deformation, densification, and fracture.

Resistance is important for cutting tools, wear and abrasion-resistant parts, prosthetic hip-joint balls and sockets, optical lens glasses, ballistic armor, molds and dies, valves, and seals. In fact, many ceramic specifications list minimum hardness requirements.

The hardness of ceramic supplies is a property which is of distinguished magnitude as it relates to the capability of the material to withstand penetration of the surface through a combination of brittle fracture and plastic flow. 

Often, hardness is directly equated to wear resistance. This is a mistaken notion with many metallic components and is absolutely an incorrect selection criterion with regards to engineering ceramic materials.

The world standards for regular ceramic resistance have varying requirements for control of loading rate during the indentation cycle. A literature analysis suggests that loading rate may affect measured hardness in several instances. In view of the uncertainty over this problem, extra experiments over a range of indentation loading rates were achieved on a steel, sintered silicon carbide, and an aluminum oxynitride.

Contemporary standard methods for static resistance measurements limit the rate of load application, but there is extensive variability in the requirements. The requirements are limitations to the rate of indenter motion, the loading cycle time, or a vague statement to prevent impact.

Ceramics are commonly more brittle than metals and can have analogous stiffness (modulus of elasticity) and similar strength, particularly in compression. But in a tensile test they are likely to fail at a much lower applied stress. This is because the surfaces of ceramics nearly always contain minute cracks ("Griffith cracks"), which magnify the applied stress.

The oldest method of testing hardness was to use a hard file on the test piece and see how difficult it is to remove material. The next method is called the Rockwell hardness test. This is the most widely used test in the seal business. Resistance is read on two separate scales. The most accepted is the "C" scale that uses a diamond cone. The less accepted "B" scale utilizes a ball analogous to that used in the Brinell test. Brinell hardness is determined by forcing a hard steel or carbide sphere of a specified diameter under a specified load into the surface of a material and measuring the diameter of the indentation left after the test. The Brinell hardness number, or simply the Brinell number, is obtained by dividing the load used, in kilograms, by the actual surface area of the indentation, in square millimeters.The consequence is a pressure measurement, but the units are rarely confirmed.

Vickers Hardness test It is the standard method for measuring the resistance of metals and ceramics, particularly those with exceptionally durable surfaces: The surface is subjected to a standard pressure for a standard length of time by means of a pyramid-shaped diamond. The diagonal of the resulting indention is measured under a microscope and the Vickers Hardness value read from a conversion table.

The relative microhardness of a material is determined by the Knoop indentation test. In this test, a pyramid-shaped diamond indenter with apical angles of 130 and 172 30is pressed against a material. Making a thombohedral impression with one diagonal seven times longer than the other. The hardness of the material is determined by the depth to which the Knoop indenter penetrates.

The shore scleroscope measures resistance in terms of the elasticity of the material. A diamond-tipped hammer in a graduated glass tube is allowed to fall from a known height on the specimen to be tested, and the hardness quantity depends on the height to which the hammer rebounds; the harder the material, the higher the rebound. The results obtained from this test are a useful measure of relative resistance to indentation of various grades of polymers. However, the Shore Durometer hardness test does not serve well as a predictor of other properties such as strength or resistance to scratches, abrasion, or wear, and should not be used alone for product design specifications.

Ceramic Insulators

As a general rule any fixed or rigid electrical units will need ceramic insulation to minimize the amount of heat given off. The high voltage in certain cables and units would otherwise lead to a potential fire risk that in turn could result in tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to your property.

Before starting on any home modifications you will need to have a complete knowledge of the building's wiring systems as well as being able to purchase the right material and equipment.

You will discover that today the best way to get hold of any DIY or electrical items is to go online. It does not matter how large or small the products are, the price available from online retailers is usually far below what is available in our local hardware stores. This is because an online operator will have much lower overheads than those businesses that have a physical store.

It may be worthwhile that before you place an order for any products you email the retailer a brief outline of your plans. They should then be able to respond with a list of the material you are going to require as well as their associated cost; this will include whether or not a form of ceramic insulation is needed. If the temperatures in the specific wires and units you are to replace will be low then a Kevlar form of insulation may be sufficient.

You should never cut corners and costs when it comes to the insulation of electrical wiring. The result of doing so will be a problem bigger than you could have ever imagined.

Ceramic Material

The word Ceramics is derived from the Greek word Keramos which means potter's earth or clay. Therefore, ceramics may be considered to be material made from naturally occurring clay or earth. Scientifically, ceramics are compounds of metallic and non-metallic elements. There are also manufactured ceramic materials such as diamond, SiC and Si3N4 and so on. In modern applications, a broader definition applies to the term ceramic, that is everything that is not a metal or organic material. Ceramics are inorganic as well as non-metallic materials which have been processed or used at high temperatures.

The American Ceramic society has defined ceramic products as those manufactured "by the action of heat on raw materials, most of which are of an earthy nature -- while of the constituents of these raw materials, the chemical element silicon, together with its oxide and the compounds thereof, occupies a predominant position." That branch of knowledge which deals with the expertise of manufacturing and treatment of ceramic materials is called ceramic engineering.

There are various types of ceramic products which we have classed under four distinct categories-

1. Structural - it includes roof and floor tiles, pipes and bricks.

2. White wares - they include objects like decorative, sanitary ware, table ware and wall tiles. The examples of white ware ceramics are stone ware, porcelain, bone china and earthen ware.

3. Refractories like glass and steel building crucibles, gas fire radiant and kiln linings.

4. Technical or fine ceramics. such products include tiles applied in the space shuttle program, ballistic fortification, bio-medical implants, missile nose cones, nuclear fuel uranium oxide pellets and jet engine turbine.

The various properties of ceramics are discussed below-

1. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES- they are crystalline or amorphous and are usually covalently bonded or iconic substances. Ceramic materials also show plastic deformations.

2. ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES- they are semi conductors and most of them are transitional metal oxides. However under extremely low temperatures some ceramics become superconductors.

CLASSIFICATION OF CERAMICS-

They are classified as non -crystalline and crystalline ceramics. The non-crystalline ceramics are formed from melts and are called glass ceramic. They are produced after a great range of processing whereas the crystalline ceramics do not require much doling out.

Apart from the ones discussed above, ceramics have a wide range of usage

1. It is used in making knives and ceramic knives are sharper than steel knives. Though they are brittle, their blades are more durable.

2. Ceramics like alumina and boron carbide are used as "Small Arms Protective Inserts"

3. Steel can be replaced by ceramic balls in ball bearings. Due to their hardness they have a longer lifetime. Their electrical insulating capacities are also valuable in bearings but a major drawback is their high cost.

4. Ceramic engines can be used in laboratories due to their high fuel efficiency and they do not need any cooling system. However mass production is not possible because cracks can easily develop in ceramics which may result in dangerous equipment failure.

5. Nowadays bio-ceramics are made which include synthetic bones and dental implants.

6. High tech ceramic is also employed in making watch cases.

Ceramic Platters

A wedding signature platter or plate is a new idea on the traditional wedding guest book. Instead of having your guests sign a guest book, they sign a hand painted ceramic platter. Once the platter is signed, it simply needs to baked in a conventional home oven. The bake time and temperature is 35 minutes at 300 degrees.

These platters or plates are personalized with the wedding couple's names and date. The signature platter is created in the color scheme and theme selected by the wedding couple. The platters or plates can be as unique and personal as the wedding couple wants. Each signature platter is a one of a kind creation.

Finding a company that creates these wedding signature platters and plates is not an easy task. Due to the labor intensive nature of this product, signature platters are not mass produced. Depending on how much detail is in the design, some platters can take hours to create. There are two good places to start your search for ordering a wedding signature platter. These two places are a paint your own pottery studio and the internet.

A paint your own pottery studio can be a great local way to find a signature platter. These studios offer a number of different ceramic pieces that can be painted, glazed, and fired. Once fired, these pieces can be used for signing. Platters and larger plates are the most popular pieces for signing because they are flat and offer a large area for signing. Other popular choices include vases, bowls, and tiles.

At a paint your own pottery studio you have the choice to either paint the platter yourself or hire an on staff artist to create it for you. If you do hire an artist expect to pay an additional artist fee. Some studios charge by the hour. Others will give you a flat price. If you are on a tight budget you can paint the platter yourself. Most times this will save you 50% or more off the cost of hiring an artist. Most paint your own pottery studio will also carry the special ceramic pens needed for signing. These pens are not sold in many retail stores. Expect to pay between $8-10 per pen. Just make sure you have the correct pen. It should be a Pebeo porcelain 150.

Standart Ceramic

Ceramic Plate

Plates are among the most common types of crockery items that you will hardly miss in people's houses, in restaurants and in parties. This is because they are the main dish items on which food is served. Plates are available in various shapes, sizes and designs. They are also made of different materials ranging from paper, plastic to ceramics. In addition, you will find that plates are of many types like those used for dinner, soup, salad, bread, cereal and dessert.

Plates are not just plates nowadays. If they are carefully designed or even personalized, they could be given away as gift items as companies are doing today. The ceramic plate designs are what you could be looking for if you are considering giving someone a surprise gift. However, it will require you to distinguish between ceramic plates used for regular crockery and those used for decoration purposes.

There is a wide range of designs to choose from, all denoting the natural environment that surround us. The designs will depict simple objects like fruits, trees and cars or forms of life like ocean life, landscapes, or even seasons like Christmas, Easter, Halloween and others.

You have to be careful as you select the plate decorations. This is because cases have been reported where food poisoning has occurred as a result of eating from a decorated plate. The colors may come out and mix with the food. However, this can be made safer by distinguishing between the functional and decorative plates.

Ceramic Products

Importing can be a little tricky due to inherent pitfalls in language barriers, communication, customs procedures, taxes, ocean freight processing, etc. Although the Internet has made the world a smaller place there are still many hurdles that must be overcome when importing products. However, there are companies in the States that can represent your interests and assist with the complexities of importation.

If you choose to work directly with an off shore factory, it is absolutely necessary to deal with a reputable company and be knowledgeable of the many requirements for importing finished products/goods to the U.S. and all the expenses associated with this process. This first step in importation is what will often determine whether your experience is enjoyable and profitable. The alternative is a long drawn out process that involves all of your valuable time and ends with a product that is not at all what you desired.

If you manage to locate a factory that understands what you need and then produces it to your specifications, it is then your responsibility to hire a broker for shipment and customs clearance once it arrives in port. Once through customs a freight mover is required to deliver the product to your specified location. All this is time consuming and can be costly.

It has been my experience that using a stateside production and importation company to represent you is much easier as they often have their own production facilities or third party factories that they continually work with as well as brokers and much better freight rates due to the frequency of shipping. These companies work within the area of producing overseas and understand thoroughly the processes and intricacies involved in importation.

You can search the Internet and find numerous stateside companies to represent you with the off shore factories, but as a buyer it is your responsibility to determine the quality of the company and services provided. A reputable company is willing to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement with you. Once you feel comfortable with the company you have chosen, you would provide them with specifications for your project and request a quote to produce your item. The quote should address all the costs for manufacturing and transportation to the US.

Upon agreement and signature they represent you with the off shore factories. It is common to have a production deposit required to begin production. The hired importation company will provide you with many services such as interfacing and coordinating with government agencies and the off shore manufacturers. They ensure the overall satisfaction in the production activities associated with your project. A well established importer will have many sources and relationships to meet your requirements. They would also have a dedicated project manager that would become your representative and provide the above services for you always keeping you informed of the progress of your project .

Hiring a U.S. based importer will reduce the headaches involved in the overseas production and importation process while providing you with the ability to concentrate on running your business.

Ceramic Properties

Just as in the field of plastics, scientists are coming up with new ways to use ceramic materials. They have already proven to be stronger than steel in many applications, and they have properties that make them the ideal choice in the automotive industry, aerospace technology, dentistry, and prosthetics. Long considered to be a material more suited for decorative pieces, it is now being found that ceramics can be used in many more ways than originally imagined. Since it's introduction in primitive forms in ancient civilizations, ceramics has just started its journey to the edge of modern technology.

Some of the types of advanced ceramics critical industries in our society are employing are Alumina, Aluminum Nitride, and Silicon Nitride. These are being used, because they will remain their dimensional stability through a range of high temperatures, exhibit high mechanical strength, have superior chemical resistance, and give manufacturers the opportunities to design components that will offer the best performance possible.

As in the rest of the world these days, the aerospace industry is under pressure to produce higher performance and increased safety while faced with dwindling financial resources. This means that manufacturers of commercial and defense airplane materials as well as the space exploration sector are being forced to find new, reliable materials to meet the needs of their highly specialized applications. Ceramics are moving up to fill this void.

Architects are finding that ceramic materials have the ability to keep up with the developmental pace of human society and the needs of the people. Prior to the 1920s, architecture employed a lot of ceramic decoration; however, the Modernist era put an end to that practice. Now in the 21st century, however, more architects are incorporating ceramic artwork into their building designs. New products, such as Superadobe, are being developed to provide a more earth-friendly method of building.

Medicine is an area where the use of ceramics is making a huge difference in a great many lives. The use of ceramics in constructing artificial joints has been under development since the 1970s. The procedure experienced a great deal of publicity in 1999 when golfer Jack Nicklaus received a ceramic-on-ceramic hip replacement, and these hip joints finally were approved by the FDA in 2003. The chief advantage of using a ceramic hip joint instead of a more traditional metal one is because of the increased life expectancy of the joint. Hip recipients can expect to get as much as 20 years of use from their ceramic joints.

The automotive industry has always been a venue for the use of ceramics. Even the earliest models used ceramic spark plugs as well as glass windows. More recently, cars are being made with ceramic honeycomb supports for the catalyst of catalytic converters, ceramic oxygen sensors to help optimize combustion and reduce exhaust, and ceramic brake shoes and rotors, all of which reduce the weight of the vehicle while providing high performance. It is very likely that ceramics will soon be used in internal engine structural parts as well as for valves and valve seats and ceramic fuel cells.

Ceramics are on their way to becoming the super material of the future as scientists discover different properties and uses for it.

Ceramic Refactory

Refractory materials are used in industrial structures like furnaces, boilers, incinerators, and chemical reactors to protect them from intense heat. What they do is provide a type of insulation from the heat which these structures are exposed to; heat which can damage them and increase the need for costly repairs. But there are also problems which can arise during the creation process of refractory which can have damaging or even dangerous effects.

When refractory material is created it is done in the same way which cement is created when it is mixed with water. As refractory is heated it becomes solid. However, if this happens to fast sometimes the moisture doesn't have the chance to dry up and it becomes trapped inside the solid refractory.

And then what?

Well, when the refractory heats up that moisture starts to expand. In most cases the result is mere cracking, but if the expansion is severe and rapid enough it's like setting off a bomb. So refractory dry out provides a safe and effective way for removing this moisture and thus preventing the possibility of expansion or explosion.

The way it works is high velocity burners use a combination of intense pressure and near one thousand degrees Fahrenheit heat to remove moisture from the refractory at a safe rate. This heat is applied at an ambient temperature at first and is slowly increased over a prolonged period of time. In some cases, proper dry out process can take over two hundred hours. This is because the refractory has to have the time to dry out and to solidify properly in order to ensure for a stronger end product.

Therefore his controlled temperature adjustment period is crucial to accomplishing a safe and effective means of refractory solidification. This means not only a stronger more solid refractory lining, but also for removal of mechanical and chemical water which keeps cracking and explosive spalling from ruining the structure. Proper refractory dry out also applies hot, cold and intermediate thermocouples to ensure proper through wall temperate gradients within refractory linings. This process causes something called ceramic bonding which prevents sagging in dual component linings, resulting in a stronger refractory and safer structure.

Some of the industries which require refractory dry out are: foundry, glass, aluminum, cement, ceramic, refineries, chemical plants, power plants, and steel mills. These industries all use furnaces, kilns, chemical reactors, and incinerators and therefore utilize refractory materials in order to protect them from the intense heat used to operate them. This requires proper application of refractory dry out technologies for the sake of a safer operating environment and a greater durability and lifespan of their structures.

Ceramic Source

To me ceramic tiles are a thing of beauty as well as being practical. I have them in several areas of my home and have enjoyed fitting them myself. In this article we are going to look at an online tool called a ceramic tile finder which you can use to source and replace broken tiles.

I do love looking after my home and am always keen to decorate as it gives me a chance to express my creative skills. Over the years I have learned how to put up wallpaper, how to paint (I mean like a professional) and also how to affix ceramic tiles.

In fact tiling is one of my favourite finishes to a room and can really create a centre piece say around the edge of a fire or as a splash back in a bathroom. I have both in my house along with tiling both the floor and walls in my main family bathroom and shower room.

Sourcing tiles that where unique and met with my own individual taste was a lengthy process. I did try and shop locally but was also impressed with the variety of tiles available on the internet.

The only downside with being so picky is replacing tiles as they get broken and damaged. Believe you me given enough time this will happen, in fact it is not uncommon for the corners to snap or for fine cracks to appear in tiles after a few years wear.

Machinable Ceramic

Ceramit from Ceramic Substrates is a commercial grade of the mineral pyrophyllite.Pyrophyllite is an aluminosilicate material from the montmorillonite family that has remarkable similarities to talc.

Ceramit 10/14 is a machinable mineral which, after heat treatment, assumes many of the properties of fired Ceramics. It is ideal for prototypes, experimental and pilot scale productions where high accuracy is required on small parts. While it sis suited to small runs and prototypes, it can also be used for manufacture of commercial quantities.

Tiles Ceramic

Tiles are a great way to give your bathroom or kitchen floor a great new look. New bathroom tiles or kitchen wall tiles can be used to give even the dowdiest rooms in your home some much needed revitalisation. There are a wide range of different tile materials available, each of which can be used to achieve different effects around the home. The trick is to work out the benefits of the different tile materials as well as the cost so then you can find the perfect bathroom tiles for your home.

Natural stone tiles are great tiles to use on a floor. The reason for this is because they are sturdy and can take a lot of abuse as well as being easy to clean and maintain. Limestone or marble tiles are great for floors and can have a polished or honed look to them depending on whether you want a shiny or matte look to the floor. Fitting natural stone tiles can be a difficult process so you may want to get some help from the professionals. When it comes to cutting stone such as marble tiles, you should always use an angle grinder with a diamond cutting wheel.

Ceramic tiles are available either glazed or unglazed. Ceramic tiles are normally the easiest sort of tile to cut and drill because they are not as hard as natural stone and porcelain tiles. Ceramic tiles can work well on floors and walls but are probably most suited as kitchen wall tiles.

Ceramic Stores

In here therea are ceramics store website and it pictures.
www.ceramicstoreinc.com
www.theceramicstore.co.uk
www.bigceramicstore.com

Ceramic Work

A ceramic sharpener, like other knife sharpeners, work by removing a very thin layer of metal from the blade of your knife. Ceramic sharpeners are made from dense ceramic material instead of stone. They are especially recommended for sharpening very hard knives. The ceramic material used is harder than other sharpening stones, and will not wear out as quickly. Softer sharpening stones can get worn down in the middle if you do a lot of sharpening, forcing you to re-surface and flatten your stone. Unlike some other knife sharpeners, they are resistant to rust as well.

The ceramic material used in such sharpeners is as hard as glass, yet still abrasive. Ceramic sharpeners will become darker as they remove layers of steel from your knives. To return the material to its original white color, simply clean it with cleanser and water. Make sure that the ceramic sharpener is dry when you use it to sharpen your knives. Most ceramic sharpeners are designed to be used dry, unlike other sharpeners which require water or oil.

Most ceramic sharpeners are in the form of a rod or bar of ceramic material. To use these sharpeners, set one end on your work surface work surface, or hold the handle in your left hand with the knife in your right hand. Holding the knife at an angle of 20-25 degrees from the rod, slice downwards drawing the knife along the blade as you do so. Some sharpeners come in a pull-through model or angled type, which can be useful in maintaining a consistent angle as you sharpen the knife.

Some ceramic sharpeners come mounted in a wooden block at an angle. In this case, hold the knife straight down to achieve the correct angle with the ceramic rod. Spend two or three minutes on each side of the blade, keeping the knife at a consistent angle to the ceramic piece. Press gently, letting the abrasive ceramic rod do the work.

Although most ceramic sharpeners are shaped like a rod, others are in the form of a wheel or flat stone, or a pull-through model that simply requires you to pull the knife through a notch in the ceramic material. Besides form, ceramic sharpeners also differ in the grit of the ceramic material. The larger the grit, the more effective they will be against badly worn blades, because they will take off more of the steel surface of the blade. However, a finer grit is necessary for achieving a very sharp blade. One side is usually ribbed or rougher than the other. First use the knife against the rough side to begin the sharpening process. Finish by sharpening the knife blade against the smoother ceramic surface.

A ceramic knife sharpener is an easy and efficient way to bring a sharp edge back to your knives, scissors, and other cutting tools. Easy to use, it is effective on a wide variety of different knives., including straight or serrated, kitchen cutlery, scissors, and other blades. Because of its hardness, a ceramic sharpener will last for years.

Asia Ceramic

It has been established that the Chinese created some of the world's first ceramics eight thousand years ago with the fashioning of hand-molded earthenware containers. In the late neolithic times, the potter's wheel was developed enabling a dramatic advancement in ceramic technology. The sophistication of early Chinese potters is irrefutably demonstrated by the famed terracotta warriors uncovered by archaeologists in the tomb of Emperor Qin (259-210 BCE).

Over the centuries, China maintained its dominant position as the producer of ceramics as countless new technologies and styles were developed. One of the most important was the three-coloured earthenware of the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE), named after the bright yellow, green and white glazes. This period also marked the first wide-spread use of ceramic as a decorative medium of art.

Another type of pottery that developed during the Tang period was qingci, known more commonly to English speakers as celadon. This style often has a greenish glaze and usually simply but elegantly shaped. Celadons were so successful that production continued in China for centuries afterward and was traded widely throughout much of Southeast Asia.

During the Song dynasty (960-1279 CE), whiteware became a dominant form. The style became one of the most successful ceramic types ever produced in China and was widely traded throughout Southeast Asia. One form of whiteware that became particularly popular as a traded ceramic was Qingbai which literally means "bluish-white ware" and has a jade-like texture.

Blue-and-white porcelain was first created during the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368 CE). Fired at higher temperature than earthenware, porcelain is characterized by a glass-like finish of its whitish clay body. Potters of the later Ming dynasty (1368-1644 CE) advanced the art of blue-and-white porcelain to such a degree that most people today think of the style as uniquely Chinese.

The Qing period (1644-1911 CE) was the last of the imperial dynasties and saw innovative five-coloured designs that reached a new peak in popularity, particularly in the west.

Chinese Dynasty Timeline:

Han Dynasty

Western Han (206 BCE - 24 AD)

Eastern Han (25 AD - 220 AD)

Three Kingdoms Period

(220 AD - 280 AD)

Jin Dynasty

Western Jin (265 AD - 316 AD)

Eastern Jin (317 AD - 420 AD)

Northern and Southern Dynasties

Northern Dynasties (386 AD - 581 AD)

Southern Dynasties (420 AD - 589 AD)

Sui Dynasty

(581 AD - 618 AD)

Tang Dynasty

(618 AD - 907 AD)

Five Dynasties and Ten States

Five Dynasties

- Later Liang (907 AD - 923 AD)

- Later Tang (923 AD - 936 AD)

- Later Jin (936 AD - 946 AD)

- Later Han (947 AD - 951 AD)

- Later Zhou (951 AD - 960 AD)

Ten States

(902 AD - 979 AD)

Song Dynasty

Northern Song (960 AD - 1127 AD)

Southern Song (1127 - 1279)

Liao Dynasty

(916 AD - 1125 AD)

Jin Dynasty

(1115 AD - 1234 AD)

Yuan Dynasty

(1271 AD - 1368 AD)

Ming Dynasty

(1368 AD - 1644 AD)

Qing Dynasty

(1644 AD - 1911 AD)

Ceramic Mug

There is a wide variety of drinkware that is offered to consumers. That is why leading suppliers of drinkware products cater to all their customers' needs providing personalized and environmentally safe products. One of the most popular products is the ceramic mugs. Ceramic mugs are lead-free offering a safer alternative for the environment and for consumers. Ceramic vessels come in any color, shape, and size that the consumer requires. There are four types of ceramic mugs offered to fit any unique occasion. They include:

Coffee Mugs - For that special brew or just to sip on tea, ceramic coffee mugs offer a great alternative to regular Styrofoam or paper cups. With your company logo or a more personalize look with your name, coffee mugs are a must have staple for a stylish office environment.

Bistro Mugs - The Bistro Ceramic Mug will save you money. Studies show that repeated use of Bistro Mugs are far more sustainable and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It also saves those outlets billions of money in buying new paper cups. Get more bangs for your buck.

Espresso Mugs - Prefer a richer coffee taste than regular brewed coffee? Then try an espresso mug. When everyone around you has the same conventional mug and saucer stylishly and personalized Espresso mugs brings out the true coffee fanatic in you. Espresso mugs make great promotional products for any business or fund raiser.

Beer Steins Mugs - This is the perfect gift or promotional product for beer lovers. Ceramic beer stein mugs are dishwasher safe and can be used for both hot and cold beverages. Are you a sports fanatic? These lead free mugs can be personalized to cheer on your favorite theme.

Customized mugs are not only environmentally friendly but they add a trendy and stylish look to any occasion. Whether it's a sporting event or an elegant affair, mugs add that personal touch to impress consumers and friends alike.

Ceramic Painted

The concept of ceramic or ceramic tile painting can be dated back thousands of years. As a matter of fact, they have been discovered at a number of most erstwhile ruins. The term "ceramic" is derived from a Greek word that means pottery. Nevertheless, ceramic art work has been used prior to the time of olden Greece.

Inception

As soon as human being started out constructing dwellings and civic facilities, he made up his mind to invigorate the space somewhat. Ceramic painting turned into an effective technique to embellish the interior of a house. It was employed on patio walls, roofs, floorings, inside murals and even on outside walls. This particular theme of beautification is so ancient that ceramic tile prints have been recovered at the remains of Babylon, prehistoric Egypt and Greece. The most antique artworks were obtained in Babylon and are reckoned to be 4,000 years old.

Evolution of Techniques

Hardly any practices were ever acknowledged all through the past record of ceramic painting. They were communicated by word of mouth from father to child or from master to pupil. It is apparent that the tiles themselves were manually constructed of clay. The most former tiles were built of clay bricks that were crushed and formed by hand. Subsequently, they were dried out by the sunlight or baked. Afterwards, tools made of wood were employed to give shape to the clay. After the physical structure was formed, the tile was blazed in a kiln. If the tile was not having a shiny coating, it was blazed only once. If it was glazed, then it was blazed two times in the furnace. In the period from 1840 to 1849, artists started to recreate the art on ceramic tiles and made bricks with a dust pressing technique. This technique involved squeezing the brick between two metal blocks.

Enhancing Techniques & Color

Tiles without shiny coating were left uncolored and continued with the shade of the clay. A very old method of adornment was sgraffito. Sgraffito is a practical method where the body is wrapped up with thin potter's clay and then knocked off to shape a figure. A lucid glaze made by pounding white lead, flint (a form of silica), porcelain clay and china stone simultaneously revealed the coloring of the clay or of the paint used over the clay. This shiny finish permitted artists to paint freely on the clay and rendered the paint capable to remain on the clay. The early Greeks heavily contributed to a manner of ceramic painting known as mosaic. This technique implies cutting off painted tile pieces, then assembling them to make an image or design.

Forms of Decoration

Three forms of embellishment were applied on ceramic. The foremost form of design, used in olden periods, was the tile image. Every brick comprised a piece of an image, and then bricks were set up as one to create one big picture constituted of tiles. The bricks were normally dyed in color and shiny. Single motifs were said to be tiles with one separated design colored upon them. Ceramic was also found with paints of geometric figures.

Ceramic Processing

Defects in ceramics are of interest to potters and ceramic manufacturers because they are a major cause of financial loss. They are of interest to collectors of ceramics because they may (or may not) reduce the value of an item. They are of interest to users especially if they can cause damage or injury in use.

I (being old and having nothing else to do) decided to tell you what I remember about ceramic defects. I worked in the ceramic industry for a good part of my life.

To understand ceramic defects you should know something about ceramic processing. If you are a potter or are involved in industrial ceramic manufacturing you know about ceramic processing. For those of you who are not familiar with ceramic processing here is the listing of the ceramic processes we will discuss in this series of articles on ceramic defects:

Batching and Formulating:

Selecting a composition for the ceramic and then choosing raw materials for the batch.

We will cover this topic in more detail in Ceramic and Pottery Defects 2: Defects from Raw Materials and Batching Errors.

Forming or Making:

Shaping the part by slip casting, pressing, hand forming, injection molding, roll forming, jiggering, or any other of a number of ways available.

We will cover this topic in more detail in Ceramic and Pottery Defects 3: Defects from Forming Operations

Drying:

Controlled heating to dry the ware before firing (or just leaving it on a shelf in Arizona).

We will cover this topic in more detail in Ceramic and Pottery Defects 4: Defects Caused During Drying Operations.

Bisque Firing (or Bisk Firing) and Single Firing:

A low-temperature firing followed by a high-temperature glost or gloss firing in the Porcelain Process.

A high-temperature firing followed by a low temperature glost or gloss firing in the China Process.

A single high-temperature glost or gloss fire in the Stoneware Process.

A single lower-temperature glost or gloss firing in the Semi-vitreous Process.

We will cover this topic in more detail in Ceramic and Pottery Defects 5: Defects Caused During Bisk Firing Operations.

Glost Firing:

Firing of glazed bisk ware (see also above).

We will cover this topic in more detail in Ceramic and Pottery Defects 6: Defects Caused During Glazing and Glost Firing Operations.

Decal Firing:

Firing a decal or decals on ware.

We will cover this topic in more detail in Ceramic and Pottery Defects 7: Defects Caused During Decaling and Decal Firing.

Enamel Firing:

Firing an enamel usually on decaled ware.

We will cover this topic in more detail in Ceramic and Pottery Defects 8: Defects Caused During Enameling and Enamel Firing.

Gild Firing:

Firing gold or other precious metal decorations.

(Note: Now days, the decal may include enamel and gold so that a single firing can be used.)

We will cover this topic in more detail in Ceramic and Pottery Defects 9: Defects Caused During Gilding and Gild Firing.

Ceramic Pottery

Ceramic pottery is the art of forming or creating something out of clay and this has been around for thousands of years now and the industry still exists until today. The process includes molding the clay and using extreme heat and then it will be decorated by glazing or applying a glossy coating or enamel. Today, handmade pottery is basically to create beautiful artworks that are perfect to be used as home decorations.

During the early times, people already used ceramic pottery to make their home look more elegant and classy. Decorative ceramic plates and vases are some of the most popular types of pottery used as home decor. But even though we are now living in the modern age, you can still find ceramic pottery that you can use to add a touch of class and style to your home. You can browse our collection of ceramic pottery and you will surely appreciate the timeless beauty that each piece exudes.

Our ceramic products are made by great and talented artists from Amalfi Coastal region in Italy so you can be sure that you'll find only the finest kind of pottery in our store. Our ceramic pottery products were created using our artists' skills, creativity, and many years of experience to assure that our customers will be completely satisfied with our products. These ceramic pottery products would be perfect to be used as decorations for any room in your home. Your friends and relatives would surely notice and appreciate these beautiful artworks because these are beautiful.

You can find different forms of ceramic's in our store and some of the most commonly purchased are pots, lamps, plates, and vases or big jars that can also double as an umbrella stand. If you want your porcelain pottery and your home to look unique that it will surely be remembered by your guests, this is also the place to find such pieces of art. We offer items with unique designs and styles that you will never find anywhere else.

You can use these products to decorate your room or your home or you could give them as gifts to someone who is close to your heart. These products are perfect to show someone your appreciation or gratitude. You can give these to someone who already has a collection of ceramic pottery or you could also give these to encourage a person to start collecting beautiful treasures like ceramic pottery. These products will definitely bring out and enhance the artistic side of any person and will transform your simple home into a place that will show your sophisticated taste and elegant sense of style.

Ceramic Rings

There are pros and cons for each one of these two metals, and although they are two of the most less traditional metals they are becoming popular in mens rings today for a number of reasons. Let's start by looking at the pros for both metals. Ceramic rings have a glossy finish to them and a beautiful color which usually is black. Steel on the other hand usually comes in a white color like the color of mens silver rings. Both metals are very durable and comfortable to wear.

Ceramic is also lighter in weight compared to steel. It is also scractch resistant, although they will crack if struck at high impact even though the material is hard and durable. Steel on the other hand, scratches very easily. This could be why the price difference between the two is great. It is important to consider durability when buying men's rings because if the ring is going to be a wedding band then you would want the band to last you for a long time especially if the man is involved in high physical activity. Nevertheless, both steel and ceramic are hypoallergenic materials.

Although most ceramic rings are used mostly for fashion, they can be used as wedding bands too. Steel rings on the other hand, can be used as wedding bands because they mostly come in a white color which is a very popular color in today's mens rings. A steel ring compared to a mens gold ring, is less expensive as well, and can have just as much luster if not more than a mens gold ring in white color. The price difference of a steel ring and a ceramic ring is quite great. Ceramic rings cost more than steel rings and as mentioned earlier, probably because of the fact that ceramic is a stronger and more scratch resistant material than steel.

Mens rings made in both materials are great, but if you want a ring that will last you longer then consider a ring made out of ceramic. If your budget doesn't permit you to spend a lot on a men's ring, then consider steel since it is very affordable, durable enough, and very pleasing to the eye when it comes to luster and shine compared to ceramic rings.