A ceramic is a solid material which comprises of an inorganic compound.
Such an inorganic compound can be made up of metal, non-metal or
metalloid atoms primarily held in ionic and covalent bonds. Earthenware
and brick are some common examples of ceramics. In terms of
crystallinity, ceramic materials can range from completely amorphous to
semi-crystalline, and highly oriented. Earthenware, stoneware and
porcelain are examples of fired ceramics which are either vitrified or
semi-vitrified. Most ceramic substances exhibit some common properties
such as high melting temperature, low ductility, high moduli of
elasticity, chemical resistance and poor conductivity. There are various
options for the composition and structure of a ceramic due to the broad
range of available combinations of elements, bonding and levels of
crystallinity. Accordingly, the hardness and toughness of different
ceramics can vary considerably. Different approaches, evaluations,
methodologies and advanced studies on ceramics have been included in
this book. Those with an interest in the field of ceramics would find
this book helpful.