The difference between ceramics and precision ceramics
Metals, organic materials, and ceramics are collectively referred to as the “three major materials”. The term Ceramics is said to have originated from Keramos, the Greek word for clay fired. Originally referred to ceramics, recently, the term ceramics began to be used to refer to non-metallic and inorganic materials including refractory materials, glass, and cement. For the above reasons, ceramics can now be defined as “products that use non-metallic or inorganic materials and are subjected to high temperature treatment in the manufacturing process”.
Among ceramics, high performance and high precision are required for ceramics used in various industrial purposes, including the electronics industry. Therefore, they are now called “precision ceramics” in order to be compared with ordinary ceramics made from natural materials such as clay and silica. differentiate. Fine ceramics are high-precision ceramics manufactured using “strictly selected or synthesized raw material powder” through “strictly controlled manufacturing process” and “finely adjusted chemical composition”.
Raw materials and manufacturing methods vary enormously
The raw materials used in ceramics are natural minerals, and those used in precision ceramics are highly purified raw materials.
Ceramic products have the characteristics of high hardness, excellent heat resistance, corrosion resistance, electrical insulation, etc. Ceramics, refractory materials, glass, cement, precision ceramics, etc. are its representative products. On the basis of the above properties, fine ceramics have more excellent mechanical, electrical, optical, chemical, and biochemical properties, as well as more powerful functions. At present, precision ceramics are widely used in various fields such as semiconductors, automobiles, information communication, industrial machinery, and medical care. The difference between traditional ceramics such as ceramics and fine ceramics mainly depends on the raw materials and their manufacturing methods. Traditional ceramics are made by mixing natural minerals such as mudstone, feldspar, and clay, and then molding and firing them. In contrast, fine ceramics use highly purified natural raw materials, artificial raw materials synthesized through chemical treatment, and compounds that do not exist in nature. By formulating the above-mentioned raw materials, a substance having the desired properties can be obtained. In addition, the prepared raw materials are formed into high value-added products with extremely high dimensional accuracy and powerful functions through precisely controlled processing processes such as molding, firing, and grinding.
Classification of ceramics：
1. Pottery & Ceramics
1.1 Earthenware
An unglazed container made by kneading clay, molding it and firing it at a low temperature (around 800°C). These include Jomon-style earthenware, Yayoi-type earthenware, unearthed objects from the Middle and Near East in 6000 BC and so on. The products currently used are mainly red-brown flower pots, red bricks, stoves, water filters, etc.
1.2 Pottery
It is fired at a higher temperature (1000-1250°C) than earthenware, and it has water absorption and is a fired product that is used after glazing. These include SUEKI, RAKUYAKI, Maiolica, Delftware, etc. Now widely used products are mainly tea sets, tableware, flower sets, tiles and so on.
1.3 Porcelain
A white fired product that is fully solidified after adding silica and feldspar to high-purity clay (or mudstone), mixing, molding, and firing. Colorful glazes are used. It was developed in the feudal period (7th and 8th centuries) of China such as the Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty and spread to the world. There are mainly Jingdezhen, Arita ware, Seto ware and so on. The products that are widely used now mainly include tableware, insulators, arts and crafts, decorative tiles and so on.
2. Refractories
It is molded and fired from materials that do not deteriorate at high temperatures. It is used to build furnaces for iron smelting, steel making and glass melting.
3. Glass
It is an amorphous solid formed by heating and melting raw materials such as silica, limestone and soda ash.
4. Cement
A powder obtained by mixing limestone and silica, calcining, and adding gypsum. After adding water, the stones and sand are adhered together to form concrete.
5. Precision Industrial Ceramic
Fine ceramics are high-precision ceramics manufactured by “using selected or synthesized raw material powder, finely adjusted chemical composition” + “strictly controlled manufacturing process”. Compared with traditional ceramics, it has more powerful functions, so it is widely used in various applications such as semiconductors, automobiles, and industrial machinery. Fine ceramics were called new ceramics and advanced ceramics for a while.
Post time: Jan-18-2022