Learning objectives
<br />The main goal is to provide to the students a good knowledge of the phase diagrams and of their application in the field of the preparation of ceramic materials, as well as of the theoretical and practical aspects of the sintering process. The principal classes of traditional and special ceramics are described with illustration of the specific preparative processes
Course unit content
<br /> <br />Phase diagrams<br />Phase diagrams, phase diagrams of the condensed states, binary phase diagrams, eutectic systems, systems with compounds, peritectic systems, systems with solid solutions, ternary phase diagrams<br /> <br />Preparation of ceramic materials<br />The sintering process, thermodynamic and kinetic aspects, surface diffusion, mass diffusion, evaporation-recondensation, secondary crystallization and densification limit, practical aspects, choice of the starting materials, refractory materials for crucibles, pressing and forging, special techniques, sintering in presence of liquid phase, hot forging, hot pressing, hot isostatic pressing.<br /> <br />Traditional ceramics and their classification<br />Terracotta, soft and hard earthenware, faenza, gres, fire clay, klinker, red gres, porcelain<br /> <br />Special ceramics<br />Ferroelectric ceramics, ferromagnetic ceramics, ceramics of particular electrical interest (semiconductor and superconductors), glass-ceramics, composits
