This review describes the synthesis of polymeric precursors for silicon carbide, silicon carbonitride and silicon nitride ceramics, and looks at the properties of the resulting fibres. Alumina, boron nitride and boron carbide precursors are also considered. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

This handbook presents an authoritative account of the potential of advanced ceramics and composites in strategic applications, including defense, national security, aerospace, and energy security (especially nuclear energy). It highlights how their unique combination of superior properties such as low density, high strength, high elastic modulus, high hardness, high temperature capability, and excellent chemical and environmental stability are optimized in technologies within these fields. The handbook is organized according to application type. It allows readers to learn about strategies that have been used in different fields and to transfer them to their own. The book addresses a wide variety of ceramics and their composites, including PZT ceramics, carbon nanotubes, aerogels, silica radomes, relaxor ferroelectrics, and many others.

This book presents the foundations of the science of polymer derived ceramics, enriched with many descriptions of applications. Written by a team of selected researchers, the text is a systematic, comprehensive introduction to all phases of polymer derived ceramics from synthesis strategies through properties measurement, and applications. New material is given on the nanolevel structure of PDCs, and it is shown how nano-sized modifications can alter and improve the properties of polymer derived ceramics, including high chemical durability, oxidation resistance, luminescence, and piezo-resistivity. Groundbreaking work is also described on novel precursors such as stoichiometric SiC, BN, and SiBCN ceramics. In terms of technology, this volume explains how PDCs are fabricated and how these novel materials are used in membranes, filters, MEMS, fibers, and micro-components. This book covers: synthesis, structure, properties and applications; strategies for characterizing and synthesizing PDCs; and, original research on pre-ceramic PDC precursors.

High-temperature ceramic fibers are the key components of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). Ceramic fiber properties (strength, temperature and creep resistance, for example)-along with the debonding characteristics of their coatings-determine the properties of CMCs. This report outlines the state of the art in high-temperature ceramic fibers and coatings, assesses fibers and coatings in terms of future needs, and recommends promising avenues of research. CMCs are also discussed in this report to provide a context for discussing high-temperature ceramic fibers and coatings.

This volume is part of the Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceeding (CESP) series. This series contains a collection of papers dealing with issues in both traditional ceramics (i.e., glass, whitewares, refractories, and porcelain enamel) and advanced ceramics. Topics covered in the area of advanced ceramic include bioceramics, nanomaterials, composites, solid oxide fuel cells, mechanical properties and structural design, advanced ceramic coatings, ceramic armor, porous ceramics, and more.

Although, carbon is only one of one hundred plus elements, the polymer science lit erature consists primarily of studies on carbon based polymers. In part, this reflects the varied feedstock sources and in part, the type of bonds and bond forming reactions avail able to form organic polymers that are not available to the inorganic and organometallic chemist. However, recent intense interest in polymers with novel optical, electronic or magnetic properties or polymers that can serve as precursors to ceramic, semiconductor, metallic or superconductor materials has served as a driver for the development of novel synthetic routes and characterization techniques that have launched many new inorganic and organometallic oligomers and polymer systems. The following chapters represent an effort to provide an overview of several new and continuing areas of development in inorganic and organometallic polymer science. This book represents the second in a series of books we have edited on inorganic and organometallic polymer chemistry (1. Transformation of Organo-metallics into Common and Exotic Materials, NATO ASI Series Vol 141. 3. Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers with Special Properties, NATO ASI Series in press). In this series, we attempt to develop, for the reader, an understanding of the breadth, depth and potential of inorganic and organometallic polymer science.

This book covers additive manufacturing of polymers, metals, ceramics, fiber reinforced polymer composites, energy harvesting materials, and biomaterials. Hybrid manufacturing is discussed. Topology optimization methodology is described and finite element software examples are provided. The book is ideal for graduate students and career starters in the industry.

Materials scientists continue to develop stronger, more versatile ceramics for advanced technological applications, such as electronic components, fuel cells, engines, sensors, catalysts, superconductors, and space shuttles. From the start of the fabrication process to the final fabricated microstructure, Ceramic Processing covers all aspects of modern processing for polycrystalline ceramics. Stemming from chapters in the author's bestselling text, Ceramic Processing and Sintering, this book gathers additional information selected from many sources and review articles in a single, well-researched resource. The author outlines the most commonly employed ceramic fabrication processes by the consolidation and sintering of powders. A systematic approach highlights the importance of each step as well as the interconnection between the various steps in the overall fabrication route. The in-depth treatment of production methods includes powder, colloidal, and sol-gel processing as well as chemical synthesis of powders, forming, sintering, and microstructure control. The book covers powder preparation and characterization, organic additives in ceramic processing, mixing and packing of particles, drying, and debinding. It also describes recent technologies such as the synthesis of nanoscale powders and solid freeform fabrication. Ceramic Processing provides a thorough foundation and reference in the production of ceramic materials for advanced undergraduates and graduate students as well as professionals in corporate training or professional courses.

Although ceramics have been known to mankind literally for millennia, research has never ceased. Apart from the classic uses as a bulk material in pottery, construction, and decoration, the latter half of the twentieth century saw an explosive growth of application fields, such as electrical and thermal insulators, wear-resistant bearings, surface coatings, lightweight armour, and aerospace materials. In addition to plain, hard solids, modern ceramics come in many new guises such as fabrics, ultrathin films, microstructures and hybrid composites. Built on the solid foundations laid down by the 20-volume series Materials Science and Technology, Ceramics Science and Technology picks out this exciting material class and illuminates it from all sides. Materials scientists, engineers, chemists, biochemists, physicists and medical researchers alike will fi nd this work a treasure trove for a wide range of ceramics knowledge from theory and fundamentals to practical approaches and problem solutions.

This book summarizes recent research and development in the field of nanostructured ceramics and their composites. It presents selected examples of ceramic materials with special electronic, catalytic and optical properties and exceptional mechanical characteristics. A special focus is on sol-gel based and organic-inorganic hybrid nanoceramic materials. The book highlights examples for preparation techniques including scale-up, properties of smart ceramic composites, and applications including e.g. waste water treatment, heavy metal removal, sensors, electronic devices and fuel cells. Recent challenges are addressed and potential solutions are suggested for these. This book hence addresses chemists, materials scientists, and engineers, working with nanoceramic materials and on their applications.