Several thousands of years ago the Chinese discovered the durability and non-corrosion characteristics of ceramic. At that time they used the material to make jars in which they would pickle vegetables in soy sauce.
Now this very same material is being used in industry to bring new hope to future generations.
Ceramics have always played an important role in ancient China. Almost all bowls, dishes, and vases were made of such material. When speaking of Chinese culture, Westerners often think of Chinese ceramics. In fact, the English word "China" can convey two different meanings--the country and porcelain.
Plastic and metal have gradually substituted for ceramic in many articles these days, but in other guises, ceramic remains a part of everyone's daily life.
Such things as lighters, magnetic heads of tape recorders and video recorders as well as microwave cookers all employ ceramic materials. In distinction to traditional ceramics, the new materials are called "new ceramics" or "fine ceramics."
What is meant by "fine ceramics"? Professor M. H. Hon of the graduate school in the Department of Materials Engineering at National Ch'eng Kung University points out that the major reason is due to the material's quality.
Traditional ceramic ware was made of clay and backed in a brick furnace. Clay is a type of compound, its major components being alumina Al(2)O(3), silicon oxide, and water. Since the components and structures are different, it can be made into products of different quality.
The raw materials for traditional ceramics were taken directly from nature. On the other hand, fine ceramics has passed through an additional step of decomposition, refinement, and so forth before being mixed.
The purifying of the fine dust and improvements in sintering technology not only strengthen the hardness and high heat resistance of traditional ceramics, but also enable the production of different characteristics due to their different chemical compositions and different crystal structures.
The insulation of some ceramic materials is especially good. Just a thin layer can greatly reduce the flow of electricity and quickly reduce the temperature. When used on circuit boards, it can increase the density of the number of components resulting in a decrease in the weight and size of electronic goods and computers.
As far as hardness and solidness is concerned, silicon carbide is second only to diamonds and is about one-third the cost. Silicon carbide has been used as a substitute for diamond cutters in many areas of industry.
As small as electronic components or as advanced as space technology, fine ceramics has gradually made its way into the life of modern man.
Professor M. H. Hon notes that since the fine dust used in the making of ceramics is a type of compound, the addition of various elements may produce an unexpected change.
At present the ROC has placed material engineering as one of the focal points in the development of technology. Two large technical institutes, the Indus trial Technology Research Institute and National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology, as well as other colleges and universities, have already made preliminary steps in the research of fine ceramics. They have successfully developed some cutting tools and other technology, and applied this knowledge in factories to increase productivity.
As with plastic, which is lightweight yet inflammable, ceramic also has its good points and bad. Ceramic materials can be used in a variety of forms, but they still have a drawback--they crack easily.
It's no big deal if an everyday bowl or vase gets broken, but when applied in industry it's another story altogether. Things must be taken more seriously.
Up until now, just how to develop a method to prevent ceramic from cracking while at the same time maintaining its strength remains one of the biggest headaches for researchers.
Perhaps there will be a change. At present, no one can say for sure. Only one thing remains certain: Many articles which could not have been achieved in the past are here today on account of the invention of new materials.
Are we headed for a "New Stone Age" in the 21st century?
[Picture Caption]
Both large and small materials made from ceramic. Attractive while at the same time practical.
Ceramic material is used to make halogen lights along the highway. (photo below courtesy of National Taiwan Institute of Technology)
The fine dust of ceramics is the key in influencing the quality of fine ceramic products.
Ceramic materials such as these have become a part of daily life and industry.
A spark plug. (photo courtesy of National Taiwan Institute of Technology)
Insulators.
IC boards.
Cutting tools.
Ceramic material is used to make halogen lights along the highway. （photo below courtesy of National Taiwan Institute of Technology）
Ceramic material is used to make halogen lights along the highway. （photo below courtesy of National Taiwan Institute of Technology）
The fine dust of ceramics is the key in influencing the quality of fine ceramic products.
Ceramic materials such as these have become a part of daily life and industry. A spark plug. （photo courtesy of National Taiwan Institute of Technology） Insulators.
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