Knowledge about material science and technology.

Attending a basic course on composites (ex. Composite materials science and engineering).

The teaching is based on lectures, exercises and case study analysis.

Lectures: 48 hours

 Ceramic theory

1. General properties, classification of ceramics (traditional and advanced ceramics), oxides, non-oxides and composites, amorphous and crystalline.
2. Ceramic microstructures: crystal chemistry, bond energy and properties. Types of imperfections in ceramics, Frenkel and Schottky defects, Kroger–Vink notation.
3. Ceramic phase diagrams.
4. Main properties of ceramic materials: porosity, mechanical - thermal, chemical and functional properties. Structure-properties correlations. Durability in ceramic materials.

Main characterisation techniques for ceramic materials

1. Optical and electron microscopy
2. EDS spectroscopy
3. IR spectroscopy
4. X-ray diffractometry
5. Mercury intrusion porosimetry
6. Thermogravimetrical analyses (TGA)
7. Mechanical characterizations.

Raw materials

Silicates (silica, clays, feldspar) and non-silicates raw materials. Characterization of raw materials for ceramics: chemical composition, mineralogical structure, granulometry, rheology, physical and thermal properties.

Ceramic production processes

1. Mixing, grinding, homogenization, wet and dry processing.
2. Forming/shaping process: powder pressing, wet molding, casting and extrusion.
3. Sintering: theory and applications.

Special focus on sanitary ware production.

Advanced Ceramics and ceramic matrix composite

Examples, applications (structural, biomedical, aerospace...) and production processes.

Advanced Ceramics: Alumina, Zirconia, Silicon carbide, Silicon nitride, Hydroxyapatite.

Ceramic Matrix Composites: SiC-SiC, C-C, C-SiC, Alumina-Alumina (some examples).

Basic mechanism of mechanical properties.

Special focus on Microwave Assisted Chemical Vapour Infiltration (MWCVI) of silicon carbide composites.

Zirconia based ceramics

Introduction what is zirconia, powder production process, aging and solutions, forming methods (die pressing, cold isostatic pressing, hot isostatic pressing, slip casting, extrusion, injection molding, tape casting), heating (dewaxing, pre-sintering, sintering, machining), applications (mechanical, electrical, automotive, medical, energy production, luxury).

Ceramics for biomedical applications:

• Calcium phosphate-based ceramics as bone substitute material
• Zirconia for dental applications
• Bioactive glass and bioceramic based composites for clinical applications

Smart Glasses

History and definitions of glass materials, theories for glass formation, properties (optical and chemical properties, viscosity), characterization, production (traditional and smart glasses). Smart glass technologies and applications (flat glass, laminated glass, heat strengthened glass, chemically strengthened glass, self-cleaning glass, photochromic and thermochromic glasses, PDLCs smart glass).

1.  Callister's Materials Science and Engineering, William D. Callister, Jr., David G. Rethwisch, John Wiley & Sons (2020)
2. Ceramic Processing and Sintering, M.N. Rahaman, Ed. Taylor & Francis (2003)
3. Notes, Digital compendium and slides will be provided by the teachers.

 Contact the teacher for the didactical material and course information.

The exam is made up of one written test and one oral test.

The written test consists of one or more questions, exercises and problems to solve. If the written test is passed with a grade higher than 18, it is possible to confirm the grade of the written test without taking the oral test.

The oral test consists of an interview between the candidate and the lecturer and co-teachers.