This book covers the area of advanced ceramic composites broadly, providing important introductory chapters to fundamentals, processing, and applications of advanced ceramic composites. Within each section, specific topics covered highlight the state of the art research within one of the above sections. The organization of the book is designed to provide easy understanding by students as well as professionals interested in advanced ceramic composites. The various sections discuss fundamentals of nature and characteristics of ceramics, processing of ceramics, processing and properties of toughened ceramics, high temperature ceramics, nanoceramics and nanoceramic composites, and bioceramics and biocomposites.

Bikramjit Basu, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. He is currently on leave at the Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India. His research interests include processing-structure-property correlation in structural ceramics, including nanoceramics and nanocomposites as well as biomaterials and tribology of advanced materials. In recognition of his contributions to the field of ceramic and biomaterials science, he has received noteworthy awards from the Indian National Academy of Engineering (2004), the Indian National Science Academy (2005), the Metallurgist of the Year Award (2010) from the Indian government, and the NASI - SCOPUS Young Scientist Award (2010) from Elsevier and the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI). He was the recipient of the Robert L. Coble Award for Young Scholars from the American Ceramic Society in 2008.

Kantesh Balani, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. His research focuses on the processing and characterization of carbon nanotube (CNT) based biomaterials, energy materials, and correlating mechanics at multiple length scales. He has received several recognitions as a Young Scientist, as well as a Young Engineer, for his contributions in the field of materials science.

The complete, easy-to-understand guide to ceramics and ceramic composites

The importance of designing and developing new ceramics and ceramic composites has increased dramatically over the last several years, and Advanced Structural Ceramics is designed to meet the rising demand for a comprehensive guide to the field.

Covering a broad range of topics, from the fundamentals, processing, and properties of toughened and high-temperature ceramics to applications of ceramic composites and state-of-the-art research, the book is designed to be of use to students and professionals alike. In addition, it provides an advanced look at biomaterials today, including the exciting new areas of nanoceramics and bioceramics.

A must-have for scientists working in a range of disciplines, including materials science, ceramics, mechanical engineering, and biotechnology, Advanced Structural Ceramics is an invaluable resource for teaching ceramics as well as research purposes, and an ideal reference for engineers and manufacturers.

Preface xvii

Foreword by Michel Barsoum xxiii

About the Authors xxv

Section One Fundamentals of Nature and Characteristics of Ceramics

1. Ceramics: Definition and Characteristics 3

1.1 Materials Classification 3

1.2 Historical Perspective; Definition and Classification of Ceramics 4

1.3 Properties of Structural Ceramics 8

1.4 Applications of Structural Ceramics 9

References 12

2. Bonding, Structure, and Physical Properties 14

2.1 Primary Bonding 15

2.1.1 Ionic Bonding 15

2.1.2 Covalent Bonding 18

2.1.3 Pauling's Rules 19

2.1.4 Secondary Bonding 21

2.2 Structure 21

2.2.1 NaCl-type Rock-Salt Structure 22

2.2.2 ZnS-Type Wurtzite Structure 22

2.2.3 ZnS-Type Zinc Blende Structure 23

2.2.4 CsCl Cesium Chloride Structure 23

2.2.5 CaF2 Fluorite Structure 23

2.2.6 Antifl uorite Structure 24

2.2.7 Rutile Structure 24

2.2.8 Al2O3 Corundum Structure 24

2.2.9 Spinel Structure 25

2.2.10 Perovskite Structure 26

2.2.11 Ilmenite Structure 26

2.2.12 Silicate Structures 26

2.3 Oxide Ceramics 28

2.4 Non-Oxide Ceramics 30

References 33

3. Mechanical Behavior of Ceramics 34

3.1 Theory of Brittle Fracture 34

3.1.1 Theoretical Cohesive Strength 34

3.1.2 Inglis Theory 35

3.1.3 Griffi th's Theory 37

3.1.4 Irwin's Theory 39

3.1.5 Concept of Fracture Toughness 39

3.2 Cracking in Brittle Materials 40

3.3 Strength Variability of Ceramics 42

3.4 Physics of the Fracture of Brittle Solids 42

3.4.1 Weakest Link Fracture Statistics 44

3.5 Basic Mechanical Properties 48

3.5.1 Vickers Hardness 48

3.5.2 Instrumented Indentation Measurements 48

3.5.3 Compressive Strength 50

3.5.4 Flexural Strength 51

3.5.5 Elastic Modulus 52

3.5.6 Fracture Toughness 53

3.5.6.1 Long Crack Methods 54

3.5.6.2 Fracture Toughness Evaluation Using Indentation Cracking 55

3.6 Toughening Mechanisms 59

References 63

Section Two Processing of Ceramics

4. Synthesis of High-Purity Ceramic Powders 67

4.1 Synthesis of ZrO2 Powders 67

4.2 Synthesis of TiB2 Powders 68

4.3 Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Powders 70

4.4 Synthesis of High-Purity Tungsten Carbide Powders 71

References 75

5. Sintering of Ceramics 76

5.1 Introduction 76

5.2 Classification 78

5.3 Thermodynamic Driving Force 79

5.4 Solid-State Sintering 82

5.5 Competition between Densifi cation and Grain Growth 84

5.6 Liquid-Phase Sintering 88

5.7 Important Factors Infl uencing the Sintering Process 90

5.8 Powder Metallurgical Processes 92

5.8.1 Ball Milling 92

5.8.2 Compaction 94

5.8.2.1 Cold Pressing 94

5.8.2.2 Cold Isostatic Pressing 96

5.8.3 Pressureless Sintering 97

5.8.4 Reactive Sintering 98

5.8.5 Microwave Sintering 99

References 103

6. Thermomechanical Sintering Methods 105

6.1 Hot Pressing 105

6.2 Extrusion 108

6.3 Hot Isostatic Pressing 110

6.4 Hot Rolling 112

6.5 Sinter Forging 114

6.6 Spark Plasma Sintering 116

References 118

Section Three Surface Coatings

7. Environment and Engineering of Ceramic Materials 123

7.1 Environmental Infl uence on Properties of Engineering Ceramics 124

7.1.1 Oxidation Resistance 125

7.1.2 Corrosion Resistance 126

7.1.3 Creep Resistance 126

7.1.4 Hard Bearing Surfaces 126

7.1.5 Thermal and...