Ceramics!

Learning Objective: Why are ceramics useful?

Explain why the properties

State some uses of Describe the properties
of ceramics make them
ceramics. of ceramics. suitable for their uses.

Keywords:
• ceramic
• compound
• properties
• insulator
Fantastic Fact!

The ceramic hafnium

carbide has the highest
melting point of all known
ceramics, at about 3900°c!
 CERAMICS
Toilets are made from pottery.
Pottery is an example of a ceramic
material. A brick is a block of a
ceramic material.
Ceramic materials are compounds.
They include metal silicates, metal
oxides, metal carbides, and metal
nitrides.

Q – State what a ceramic material is.

 What are the properties of ceramics?
All ceramic materials have similar physical properties. They are:
• hard – you can only scratch them with harder materials
• Brittle - they break easily Q – List four physical
• Stiff – they are difficult to bend properties and one
chemical property of
• Solid at room temp, with very high melting points
ceramics.
• Strong when forces press on them
• Break easily when stretched
• Electrical insulators.

Ceramics also have similar chemical properties to each

other. They do not react with water, acids, or alkalis.
 Why are ceramics useful?
Ceramics have many uses. Their uses depend on their properties.
Bricks are strong when Ceramics have high
forces press on them. melting points.
They are also durable This makes them
and attractive. This suitable for jet-
makes them suitable engine turbine
for buildings. blades, which get
very hot.

Ceramics do not
Ceramics do not conduct react with water,
electricity. They are not acids, or alkalis.
damaged by water. This You can decorate
makes them useful for them. This makes
electrical power-line them useful for
insulators. plates, bowls,
Q – List three uses of ceramics. mugs, and jugs.
 TASK:
Make a list of the uses of
ceramics.
CHALLENGE: Explain how
the properties make them
suitable for that use.
Use Properties CHALLENGE: Explain how the
properties make them suitable for
that use.
 Why do ceramics have these properties?
In ceramic materials, a huge number of atoms join together in one big structure.
There are strong forces between the atoms.

This structure explains the properties of ceramic materials:

• You need a great amount of energy to
break forces between atoms. This
explains why ceramics have high melting
points.
• The bonds between atoms are very
strong. This is why they are hard. You
break some bonds when you scratch
ceramic materials.
 QUICK CHECK QUESTIONS
Q1. State three uses of ceramics
Q2. Describe three properties of
ceramics
Q3. Explain why ceramics are useful as
building materials.
CHALLENGE: Explain why ceramics have
high melting points.
Key words: atoms, strong forces,
energy.
ANSWERS:
Q1. building materials, electrical power-line
insulators, jet-engine turbine blades,
plates-bowls-mugs-jugs.
Q2. hard, brittle, stiff, solid at room
temperature, high melting points, strong,
break easily when stretched, electrical
insulators.
+ relevant description of each property
(slide 4)
Q3. Bricks are strong when forces press on
them. They are also durable and attractive.
CHALLENGE: You need a great amount of
energy to break the strong forces between
atoms.
RESEARCH TASK: Splendid ceramics!
You work for a ceramics company. Your boss wants you to
write an article for a newspaper, explaining why ceramics are
useful.
1. Start by making notes on what to include.
2. Then decide how to organise your ideas into paragraphs.
3. Next, work out how to get readers interested.
4. Finally write your article!
 SUMMARY QUESTIONS
1. Copy and complete the following sentences using the words below.
Insulators silicates compounds high brittle oxides hard

Ceramics are ___________. They include metal __________ and metal

_________. Ceramics are __________ and __________. They have _________
melting points. They are electrical ___________. (7 marks)
2. Look at the data in Material Relative hardness Melting point (oC)
the table. Decide which A 2.0 321
materials could be B 9.0 3532
ceramics. Explain your C 3.0 825
choices. (4 marks) D 9.0 2930