ISSN:
0570-0833
Keywords:
High-performance ceramics
;
Ceramics
;
Chemistry
;
General Chemistry
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Due to their mechanical, thermal and chemical stability, high-performance ceramics have a range of properties which makes it possible in many fields to go beyond the limits of use of the various classes of materials nowadays available. In spite of this favorable starting situation, the worldwide endeavors to introduce this new group of materials have suffered some setbacks in both conventional applications and in new technologies. The ultimate reason is that these materials are very brittle. After the introduction of fracture mechanics, designers in many fields have learned how to handle brittle materials and how to exploit the potential of their properties in components subject to extreme loadings. Materials scientists have also been very successful in developing ceramics with high strength and fracture toughness characteristics. Nevertheless, the field of use has hitherto been restricted, since, in many cases, the reliability of the components is inadequate. Small and very small defects, such as micropores and cracks, as well as any other chemical and physical inhomogeneity in the structure can cause catastrophic failure of the components due to the high brittleness. Since, on the one hand, these defects are as a rule caused by inadequate control of the process sequences and, on the other, the production processes comprise a large number of chemical process steps, it is to be hoped that consistent application of the way of thinking and procedures of a chemist will make an important contribution in overcoming these difficulties.
Additional Material:
11 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.198703713
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