Ceramics
Science: KS3, topic 2.5.20
Ceramics
You use many ceramics every day. Some of the most common uses are pottery and bricks.
Making ceramics
- Ceramic is from Greek word keramikos which means pottery.
- Ceramics are made from:
- Metal oxides.
- Silicates and other metal and non-metallic compounds.
- Ceramics are shaped and then heated to very high temperatures which makes them very hard.
Reactivity
- Ceramics are not very reactive and so do not react with:
- Water.
- Acids.
- Alkalis.
Uses of ceramics
- Pottery made from clay.
- Jet engines.
- Building materials such as:
- Bricks.
- Tiles.
- Cements.
Properties of ceramics
- Brittle – they are easy to break apart.
- Solid at room temperature.
- Hard and tough – difficult to bend and compress.
- High melting points.
- Water resistant.
- Insulators.
Test yourself on Ceramics
What product is not typically made using ceramics?
Why are ceramics used to make parts for jet engines?
Why would a ceramic container be a sensible choice for storing acid in a lab?