Ceramic Composites

Quantifying the importance of ceramics and ceramic composites in modern mechanical engineering is a tricky task, but the extent of research works on these subjects is continuously increasing and opens new avenues on always more performing materials in challenging applications. Composites based on a ceramic matrix have high mechanical strength, heat and corrosion resistance, and high hardness. The excellent properties of these materials at relatively low weight compared to metal alloys determine the widespread use of ceramic composites as structural materials. Ceramic-matrix composites have become widespread in almost all manufacturing sectors, from aerospace, automotive, and heavy industry, to chemical production, energy, and biomedicine. The peculiar dielectric, optical and electrical properties of functional ceramic composites also make them indispensable in micro- and optoelectronics, sensors, communication, and mechatronics. This collection is a review of some of the latest results in the synthesis, processing and properties of ceramic composites used as structural and functional materials. This book contains selected articles published by Trans Tech Publications Inc. over the last few years and is divided into five chapters: Chapter 1: Oxide Ceramics Chapter 2: Non-Oxide Ceramics Chapter 3: Ceramic Matrix Composites Chapter 4: Glass-Ceramics Chapter 5: Machining Technologies We hope this edition will be helpful and inspiring to a broad audience of researchers and engineers, from designing new ceramic composites to envisaging new practical uses ofthe same.