Ceramic Microstructures: Property control by processing

This book considers the many types of microstructure observed in engineering ceramics, refractories and ceramic matrix composites. All the stages of microstructural evolution are covered, from producing and characterizing starting powders to calcining, milling, shape forming, sintering and heat treating. However, this book is not just about microstructure and how they affect properties but also about how to process ceramics to achieve the desired properties. This book is intended for use by anyone using, studying or producing ceramic materials who desires an insight into how their properties can be controlled through their microstructure via processing. It is comprehensively illustrated throughout with micrographs supplied by leading research groups and companies throughput the world, using all types of optical and electroptical microscopes to highlight the different scales of examination needed to fully understand them. The experimental techniques by which such micrographs can be obtained are fully explored and details of microscopy and sample preparation techniques are emphasized to enable readers to carry out the procedures themselves. By dealing with the fundamental principles behind how ceramics are made and how their microstructures influence properties, followed by a discussion of microscopy and sample preparation techniques, the first part should prove valuable to senior undergraduates and graduates seeking an insight into ceramic microscopy and preparation techniques. The second part illustrates the principles outlined in part 1 using microstructure in specific, commercially important ceramic systems and, as such, should be of interest to researchers and industrialists using or producing structural or engineering ceramics.

Table of Contents:
Ceramic processing. General influence of microstructure on ceramic properties. Techniques for characterizing ceramic microstructures. Preparation of ceramic samples for microscopy. Structural oxides I: Al2O3 and mullite. Structural oxides II: ZrO2. Synthetic structural non-oxides. Refractories. Ceramic matrix composites. Index.

Review :
`This extremely well written text is an impressive addition to the fairly rapidly growing number of modern texts dealing with ceramic materials.' British Ceramic Transactions `I thoroughly recommend anyone with an interest in ceramics to read the book or dip into the wealth of knowledge to find the numerous gems of information. Researchers and those involved in characterisation and development on ceramics will find a prominent place to keep their volume.' Journal of Institute of Refractories Engineers `This book is interesting and informative and achieves the aim of the authors in that you can dip into it at a variety of levels dependent on interest and knowledge...The text is illustrated with clear diagrams and excellect photographs,... it contains much useful information to aid the refractory engineer when making the difficult choice of which material is best suited for a particular application.' Glass Technology `The overall quality of presentation of the book is high. The text is clear, easy to read and well-illustrated by many line diagrams and photomicrographs.' Microscopy and Analysis `[It is] sure to become a 'ceramic standard' in the bookcase of those researchers involved in microstructual studies of structual engineering ceramics.' British Ceramic Transactions `The book will also be invaluable as a teaching aid and so I feel that I can thoroughly recommend it.' Journal of Microscopy