| Popis: |
Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the microstructure and processing history of ceramics. The unique properties of ceramics depend on their microstructure. Failure of ceramics occurs because of microstructural defects, including inclusions, large pores or voids, and large grained areas. One single pulled-out grain in the gap area of a magnetic recording head degrades the gap definition. Adjacent grains are also pulled out and as a consequence, the function of the recording head is destroyed. A single defect in a ceramic capacitor can cause electrical breakdown and short circuiting of the component. The same holds for defects in piezoceramics, where during polarization electrical breakdown is followed by mechanical failure. The ceramic microstructure with its defects is a fingerprint of supplier processing. Microstructural investigations may lead to characterization of the product and the determination of the supplier in case of competitor inquiries. The use of microwaves as an alternative energy source for the fabrication of ceramic-based materials is being increasingly researched for a wide variety of processing applications. The most advanced and successful application concerns the drying of wet bodies. |
