A ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. The term ‘technical ceramics’ (or ‘engineering ceramics’) refers to a broad range of advanced ceramic materials developed for their excellent mechanical, electrical, chemical and thermal properties.
Technical ceramic materials can be engineered to feature hardness, physical stability, extreme heat resistance, chemical inertness, biocompatibility and superior electrical properties. They can be formulated to be highly resistant to melting, bending, stretching, corrosion and wear.
Technical ceramics are used to make, among other things: bio-medical implants, tiles used in the Space Shuttle program, gas burner nozzles, ballistic protection, nuclear fuel uranium oxide pellets, jet engine turbine blades and missile nose cones.