Ceramics

Paste/Post your ceramics stuff here!

Ceramics can be defined as heat-resistant, nonmetallic, inorganic solids that are made up of compounds formed from metallic and nonmetallic elements. _Tim from Caitlin
 * Ceramic Tiles on a Space Shuttle **

Space shuttles need special materials to cover their outsides because they have to fly through extreme temperatures; hot and cold. The temperatures around the shuttle when it is coming into earth’s atmosphere can reach over 1600 degrees Celsius. Over 27,000 special tiles cover every inch of the space shuttle. There are different types for different spots on the shuttle. On the wing leading edges, the nose cap and the forward orbiter, reinforced carbon-carbon is used. This material withstands temperatures of 1260 degrees Celsius and above. Covering the entire orbiter are Black High – Temperature Reusable Surface Insulation tiles. There are over 20,000 of these and they don’t encounter the most extreme temperatures, but must still withstand some heat. These are used for temperatures below 1260 degrees Celsius. Black tiles called Fibrous Refractory Composite Insulation are used primarily in areas of high heat, on the base of the shuttle. Many other modern ceramic materials are used on other parts of the space shuttle - these tiles are amazing to be able to be used as they are…...

By Eleanor.........


 * Ancient Greek Ceramics **

Greek potters first had to dig clay from the ground - this was full of rocks, shells and other things that needed to be removed. The potters mixed the clay with water, until all the impurities had sunk to the bottom. The more times this process was done, the smoother the clay was. After this, the clay is placed on a wheel and the potter shapes it and decorates it. Unlike today's firing of clay, the Greek potters only fired their clay once, but in 3 different stages. Theses stages allowed them to get 2 clear different colours on their pots. This was done by allowing and not allowing air in at different times, which turned different sections of the pot a different colour (red or black).

By Eleanor................

By Paige :D
 * The word ceramic can be traced back to the Greek term keramos, meaning “a potter” or “pottery”**. Keramos in turn is related to an older Sanskrit root meaning “to burn.” Thus the early Greeks used the term to mean “burned stuff” or “burned earth” when referring to products obtained through the action of fire upon earthy materials.ceramic materials
 * Ceramics can be defined as inorganic, nonmetallic materials**. They are typically crystalline in nature and are compounds formed between metallic and nonmetallic elements such as aluminum and oxygen (alumina-Al2O3), calcium and oxygen (calcia - CaO), and silicon and nitrogen (silicon nitride-Si3N4).

_ Krystal

Ceramics can be divided into two classes: traditional ceramics and advanced ceramics.

Traditional ceramics include clay products, silicate glass and cement Advanced ceramics consist of carbides, pure oxides, nitrides, non-silicate glasses and many others.

Ceramics have many advantages over other materials. Ceramics are harder and stiffer than steel; more heat and corrosion resistant than metals or polymers; less dense than most metals and their alloys; and their raw materials are both plentiful and inexpensive. Ceramic materials display a wide range of properties which facilitate their use in many different product areas.

Before coloured glazes existed, a natural ash was used to decorate ceramics. Glazes are made from finely ground glass which melts onto the surface of the item, when fired. To make different coloured glazes iron oxide, copper carbonate, or cobalt carbonate and sometimes tin oxide or zirconium oxide.

By Lydia and Georgie (because Lydia has no laptop and her brain is full of rat eating tomatoes!!!)

The early inhabitants of Europe developed pottery at about the same time as in the Near East, circa 5500–4500 BCE. These cultures and their pottery were eventually shaped by new cultural influences and technology with the invasions of Ancient Rome and later by Islam. The Renaissance art of Europe was a melding of the art of Classical era and Islamic art.

by shania

In ancient times, potters didn't have clay suppliers to provide them with raw materials for their clay bodies and glazes. They had to collect and process all the materials they needed to produce their pottery, from their local environment, like digging up clay from river banks. A common raw material called Feldspar is used in glassmaking, ceramics and sometimes as a filler and extender in paint, rubber and plastics. Today, it's more difficult to mine clay from different places because of private property laws.
 * By Nadya **