Ceramic Products Research Articles

Recent Advances in Preceramic Polysilazane Precursors in Additive Manufacturing

Si3N4/SiCN ceramics have been extensively explored for applications in the aerospace, mechanical engineering, and biomedical fields. Recently, there has been significant focus on the additive manufacturing (AM) of polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) technology for fabricating Si3N4/SiCN ceramics. The chemical structure and composition of the preceramic polymer precursors have a crucial influence on the performance of ceramic products. In this paper, recent advances in the use of polysilazane and polycarbosilazane precursors in AM are reviewed and an outlook for future development is presented. The findings of this study could spark inspiration and reflection regarding AM applications and synthetic technology. It is believed that the development of PDCs in ceramic fabrication will become more versatile and application-oriented and provide more freedom in the design of high-performance ceramics.

Archaeometric Investigations on Archaeological Findings from Palazzo Corsini Alla Lungara (Rome)

This study reports the analytical investigations on clayey and ceramic finds, characterised by high variability in terms of prime materials, with the aim to determine the role of this important ceramic production situated close to the city walls, fortuitously found during service excavations developed in the garden of Palazzo Corsini in Rome. The complexity of the finds led to the choices of appropriate methodologies and techniques suitable for defining the diagnostic elements of each find. Optical microscopy (OM) combined with micro-Raman (µ-Raman) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to analyse the nature and microstructure of the ceramic and burned clay that were found. In such a complicated setting, the objective of conducting chemical analyses is to provide clues to describe the various kinds of ceramics produced, the production and processing methods, and, as a result, the typology of the workshop.

The organization of Chinese ceramic production from the Tang to the Ming periods: archaeological evidence from ceramic workshops

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the plans and layouts of Chinese ceramic workshops from the Tang to Ming periods (seventh to seventeenth century AD) to understand how ceramic production was organized and how organization developed over time. Through the comparative examination of 254 workshops from 96 workshop sites, two workshop types have been defined based on the spatial arrangement of their production facilities. This paper argues that each workshop type reflects a different degree of labor specialization, and despite some regional differences, the organization of ceramic production developed in a consistent way across China.

Microstructural characterization and the influence of the chemical composition of the raw material mix on the physicochemical characteristics of waste-derived ceramic aggregates

This work presents the possibility of using a mixture of different mining and industrial wastes (fly ash, waste rock, glass cullet and waste solution as a binder) for ceramic aggregate production with the application of microwave radiation. The effect of the chemical composition of the raw material mix reflected by F/SA ratio (flux oxides/SiO2 + Al2O3) on the mechanical and microstructural properties of the aggregates was evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray nanotomography (nCT). A higher proportion of fly ash relative to waste rock in the mixture composition led to an increase in the F/SA ratio. The greater the F/SA, the higher the values of particle density and compressive strength, ranging from 1.72 to 1.87 g/cm3 and 6.31–7.31 MPa, respectively. Moreover, higher F/SA led to lower water absorption and porosity, which oscillated between 2.12 - 3.44% and 3.22–5.00%, respectively. X-ray nanotomography studies revealed an increasing contribution of larger pores with a radius of and an overall increase in porosity as the F/SA ratio rose. This finding was further confirmed by SEM investigations. TG-QMS analysis showed that organic matter could act as a pore-forming agent. The basic physical and mechanical paramaters of the obtained ceramic aggregates indicate the suitability of the studied wastes for the production of valuable construction materials.

Cold Sintering Mediated Engineering of Polycrystalline SnSe with High Thermoelectric Efficiency.

Despite the attractive thermoelectric properties in single crystals, the fabrication of high-performance polycrystalline SnSe by a cost-effective strategy remains challenging. In this study, we prepare the undoped SnSe ceramic with remarkable thermoelectric efficiency by the combination of a cold sintering process (CSP) and thermal annealing. The high sintering pressure during CSP induces not only highly oriented grains but also a high concentration of lattice dislocations and stacking faults, which leads to large lattice strain that can shorten the phonon relaxation time. Meanwhile, the thermal annealing breaks the highly resistive SnOx layers at grain boundaries, which improves the electrical conductivity and power factor. In addition, the grain growth during annealing further turns the broken SnOx layers into nanoparticles, which further lowers the thermal conductivity by enhanced scattering. As a result, a peak ZT of 1.3 at 890 K and a high average ZT of 0.69 are achieved in the polycrystalline SnSe, suggesting great potential in mid-temperature power generation. This work may pave the way for the mass production of SnSe-based ceramics for thermoelectric devices.

Laser-Induced Thermal Decomposition of Uranium Coordination Compounds with Non-oxidic Ligands to Produce Nitride and Carbide Materials.

The production of ceramics from uranium coordination compounds can be achieved through thermal processing if an excess amount of the desired atoms (i.e., C or N), or reactive gaseous products (e.g., methane or nitrogen oxide) is made available to the reactive uranium metal core via decomposition/fragmentation of the surrounding ligand groups. Here, computational thermodynamic approaches were utilized to identify the temperatures necessary to produce uranium metal from some starting compounds─UI4(TMEDA)2, UCl4(TMEDA)2, UCl3(pyridine)x, and UI3(pyridine)4. Experimentally, precursors were irradiated by a laser under various gaseous environments (argon, nitrogen, and methane) creating extreme reaction conditions (i.e., fast heating, high temperature profile >2000 °C, and rapid cooling). Despite the fast dynamics associated with laser irradiation, the central uranium atom reacted with the thermal decomposition products of the ligands yielding uranium ceramics. Residual gas analysis identified vaporized products from the laser irradiation, and the final ceramic products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The composition of the uranium precursor as well as the gaseous environment had a direct impact on the production of the final phases.

Development of eco-friendly clay ceramics using rice husk ash as a secondary mineral source of quartz

The study focuses on the sustainable reuse of waste ceramic materials, particularly rice husk ash (RHA), as a secondary mineral source in ceramics production. RHA's potential to replace primary raw clays in making ceramic blocks and bricks is explored. RHA is categorized as Class II-A non-inert waste, limiting its use to controlled applications like the ceramic industry due to environmental and health risks. The study assesses the feasibility of incorporating RHA into three different types of clay: yellow and black plastic clays (plastic) and sandy clay. Waste classification according to environmental and health risks follows ABNT NBR 10004/2004 guidelines. Various analytical techniques, including X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffractometry, differential thermal analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis, were employed to characterize the materials. Laser diffraction measured the particle size distribution of the clays. In addition to the conventional ceramics industry standard formulation (STD), the study prepared five different mixtures with varying RHA and clay contents. These mixtures underwent evaluation for properties such as thermal shrinkage, density, porosity, water absorption, and diametral mechanical strength, with resistance reliability assessed using Weibull distributions. Results indicated that introducing over 15% RHA into clay ceramics led to excessive water absorption, rendering it unsuitable. Consequently, an 8.3% RHA content was chosen to manufacture hollow ceramic blocks for non-load-bearing masonry. This industrial test demonstrated favorable processing conditions compared to the STD, highlighting RHA's potential as an alternative raw material for the ceramic industry, contributing to sustainable development.

Applications of Clays in Nanocomposites and Ceramics

Clays and clay minerals are common natural materials, the unique properties of which have attracted the interest of the industry, especially because these materials are easily available, cheap, and non-toxic. Clays and clay minerals are widely used in many applications, such as in ceramic production, in the clarification of liquids, pollutant adsorbers, filler in composites and nanocomposites, soil amendments, in pharmacy, etc. This review assesses the development in the area of clay application in nanocomposites and ceramics. The first part of this study covers polymer/clay nanocomposites. Topics of interest include nanofiller sources for polymer nanocomposites, the possible ways of clay modification, polymer/clay nanocomposite classification and their processing, and polymer matrix overview with possible enhancement of nanocomposite properties. Some of the applications have already been commercialized. Approximately 80% of the polymer/clay nanocomposites are destined for the automotive, aeronautical, and packaging industries. The second part of this study describes ceramic materials with a focus on silicate ceramics. Talc and kaolinite represent the main natural raw materials for traditional ceramic applications. Less traditional cordierite, steatite, and forsterite could offer property enhancement and seem to be useful in electronics, electrical engineering, catalysts, solar thermal storage, or medical applications.

Ceramic floor tiles with yellow pigment from Kievan Rus’: A technological study

Colored glazed ceramic tiles were widely used for paving floors of the main buildings, mostly Orthodox churches, in the Kievan Rus’ (10th-13th centuries AD). The production of ceramic floor tiles was localized near the site of construction, and the date of production can be attributed to the date of construction or renovation of the church. Therefore, the study of glazed tiles makes it possible to determine the local and chronological features of their production technology.. Local production technology in Ancient Rus' was studied using thirteen yellow glazed ceramic tiles from six cities (Kiev, Galich, Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky, Pereslavl-Zalessky and Novgorod). Also, two samples were selected from churches in Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky and Vyshgorod at different times of construction or renovation to study chronological variations in tile production technology. Chemical compositions and crystalline phases of yellow glaze and ceramic body have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. In all cases, samples of ceramic tiles were glazed with high-lead silicate glass, and lead tin yellow type II (PbSn1-xSixO3) was used as a pigment. Local production technology in Ancient Rus' was studied using thirteen yellow glazed ceramic tiles from six cities (Kiev, Galich, Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky, Pereslavl-Zalessky and Novgorod). Also, two samples were selected from churches in Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky and Vyshgorod at different times of construction or renovation to study chronological variations in tile production technology. Most likely, the glaze layer on the ceramic tile was formed using pre-synthesized glass; this technology differs from the conventional technology for pottery, uses lead oxide or a mixture of lead oxide and quartz. Data on the chemical composition of yellow lead glazed tiles dating from the 10th-13th centuries AD can be used to determine the region of glazed ceramic production.

Improving the Quality of Ceramic Products by Removing the Defective Surface Layer

The surface of ceramic products manufactured using diamond grinding is replete with shallow scratches, deep grooves and other defects. The thickness of the defective layer amounts to 3–4 µm and it must be removed to increase wear resistance of the products when exposed to intense thermomechanical loads. In this study, removal of the defective layers from samples made of ZrO2, Al2O3 and Si3N4 with a beam of fast argon atoms was carried out with a stripping rate of up to 5 µm/h. To prevent contamination of the source of fast argon atoms by the sputtered dielectric material, the beam was compressed and passed to the sample through a small hole in a wide screen. Due to the removal of the defective layer, abrasive wear decreased by an order of magnitude and the adhesion of coatings deposited on the cleaned ceramic surfaces improved significantly.

Mechano-thermic reduction of low-grade titanium ore for high-grade TiO2 synthesis

A systematic study on the mechano-thermic reduction of low-grade ilmenite concentrate for the production of high-grade TiO2 powder used in the production of non-oxide ceramics for cutting tool applications has been successfully carried out. Samples were prepared via planetary ball milling and carbothermic reduction processes, and the as-reduced product was subsequently leached in order to improve the synthesized TiO2 by removing the metallic iron in it and other minor soluble impurities dissolved in the iron. The mechano-thermic reduction was achieved by milling a representative mixture of ilmenite and carbon in a molar ratio of 1:1, followed by carbothermic reduction at 1000 °C in a laboratory high-temperature furnace for 60 min. The as-reduced product was subsequently leached at 80 °C for 6 h in a hydrochloric acid solution. It was found that there was a complete reduction of ilmenite to metallic iron and TiO2 at 1000 °C. The results of the FESEM showed there were only two distinct regions of metallic iron (bright region) and titanium dioxide (grey region) with minor traces of unreacted carbon (dark spots), although there was clear regional demarcation between these regions. However, the iron dissolution during the acid treatment was almost 100% as there were no peaks of iron in the as-leached powder. The results of these analyses confirmed the synthesis of high-grade TiO2, which finds application in cutting tool applications and other areas such as in reflective pigment production.

Optimization of virtual design and machining time of the mold master ceramic jewelry products with Indonesian batik motifs

Batik has been the cultural heritage of the Indonesian nation since the 17th century. On 2 October 2009, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Batik as part of Indonesia’s traditional clothing as Indonesia’s cultural heritage. This research proves that Batik is an attractive and artistic ornament of ceramic jewelry products. This ornament can increase the selling value and storytelling of the product. Naruna is a local handmade porcelain ceramic factory in Indonesia with excellence in unique colored tableware and consistently trying to develop new designs in ceramic jewelry. Modern technology in computer-based virtual design and machining on dining plate tableware with the Batik Kawung motif is also applied in this paper to obtain a master design for ceramic jewelry prints. The design stage begins with selecting ornament patterns with creative methods to form a 3D CAD model of ceramic jewelry using artistic Art CAM. The optimization of computer-aided manufacturing-based to obtain machining strategy using the software. The software is Autodesk Power Mill, whose NC Code can be directly manufactured on a CNC router machine. This combination can speed up the production process time to meet the production capacity at Naruna and get detailed, accurate, precise, and consistent textures and ornaments, thereby meeting NCS consumer demand for ceramic jewelry products. The simulation results of the two master print patterns are 141 h, 56 min, and 46 s; the machining time is estimated at 153 h. This research saves about 11 h of time processing. The resulting NC Code can be appropriately processed on a CNC router machine with a Mach 3 post-processor.

Chemical, mineralogical and physical study of Late Iron Age ceramics from Nditam: Cameroon (West central Africa)

This paper studied Late Iron Age ceramic fragments from Nditam village (Centre Region, Cameroon), the technological features and deduced the type of the raw materials used to produce them by combining different analytical techniques based on X-ray fluorescence, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, polarized optical microscopy, spectrophotometry and hydric tests. Macroscopic observations suggest the existence of three types of ceramics according to their colour, black, greyish and red, in the two opposite surfaces, outer (or external) and inner (internal). The chemistry indicates that non-calcareous clayey material was used for ceramic production. The correlation between mineralogy, petrography and the geology of the region suggests a local production of ceramics. Moreover, the chemistry of the samples confirms the existence of the three macroscopic groups and suggests the use of local raw materials for their production. From the mineralogical point of view, quartz, feldspar and mica (biotite and muscovite) were identified in all the samples, while kaolinite and amphibole were detected in some of them. The differences in the mineralogy may indicate some variations in the firing temperature, being lower in the ceramics containing kaolinite compared to the other samples. All the samples have similar water absorption behaviour. According to the colours of the ceramics, a prevalence of oxidising firing conditions was present in the kilns. However, partial reducing and short duration firing conditions were also possible. Comparative study with the mineralogy of ethnographic ceramics from southern Cameroon shows some similarities and suggests a continuity in the use of different local clay pits in this region over time.

Food Memories and Diaspora of Culinary Traditions: Echoes from Voices of Displacement in the Rural Scape of Dholavira, India

ABSTRACT This article considers the food memories and diaspora of culinary traditions among the communities residing in present-day Dholavira village, Gujarat, India. Dholavira village, located near the Dholavira Harappan World Heritage site, is home to several ethnic communities. Over the last few decades, there has been a proliferation of the idea of food archaeology in the subcontinent’s culinary research, but most studies conducted so far have highlighted the regionality of culinary landscapes and are grounded in archaeometric techniques. This study moves in a new direction and applies ethnoarchaeology to explore food memories disseminated through the use of simple cooking tools and heirloom recipes. Additionally, the study documents the ceramic production techniques and associated memories of the one local potter, who is based in Janan village near Dholavira.

Triaxial Testing of Okpella Granite with Kaolinite Material to Achieve Workable Ceramic Refractory

The use of locally sourced materials towards meeting our local needs is inevitable in this era of recession, especially in Nigeria. There is the urgent need to discourage the extreme and awkward dependence of local potters and ceramists on imported materials and ceramic items so as to profound substitute-able solutions to the challenges facing the country’s ceramic production. Local alternative to the sustenance and survival of the ceramic industry is paramount especially to the developmental and technological growth of our economy. It is this quest that necessitated the need for a research development and documentation of locally sourced refractory materials using three materials namely Granite, Ball Clay and Kaolin. These were compounded to derive working formula for a workable refractory in ceramic production, after a series of tests on different formulae. The result analyses from the Centre for Energy Research and Training, (CERT) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Nigeria shows a relatively high percentage of refractoriness as found in Silicon Dioxide which in Granite was 50.7 percent, Ball Clay 61.2 percent and Kaolin 42.4 percent.

Using Artificial Intelligence and Numerical Control in the Design and Production of Ceramics

Using Artificial Intelligence and Numerical Control in the Design and Production of Ceramics

IRANIAN ART OF THE QAJAR ERA: EUROPEAN INFLUENCES AND «PERSIAN STYLE» FOR EXPORT

The Qajar era (late XVIII-1925) gave the world a unique style, unmistakably recognizable in painting, crafts, and photography. Clumsy, striking the imagination with its amazing brightness of colors and bold artistic techniques, it was formed largely due to active interaction with European culture via respect for the Persian traditional styles. The article deals with the significance of Europe and the European in the formation and development of Qajar art, addressing two opposing processes. Borrowing Western methods and techniques, educational models and new products on the one hand, and European fashion for Persian things, which influenced local production and its transformation on the other. The first process is seen in easel painting and the fashion for "european«details in interior decoration, the second — in «re-creation» of an updated carpet and ceramic production in Persia. The illustrative effect will be provided by selected items from the collection of the State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow, including court portraits, glass paintings, qalamkaras, tiles, etc.

Porous Metallic Implants from Additive Manufacturing to Biocorrosion: A Review

The improved bulk and surface function of manufactured implants has advanced implantation procedures, leading to a decline in surgical risks. Many current techniques discussed in the literature are related to additive manufacturing (AM) of lightweight implants based on reliable, precise, flexible scaffolds and capable of mimicking bone properties while incorporating other useful features. These techniques have evolved for the production of a variety of biocompatible materials. AM has progressed beyond prototype to full-scale manufacturing of metals, polymers and ceramic products. However, metallic implants often fail in vivo due to biocorrosion and deterioration, limiting implant longevity. This study reviews current trends and approaches to enhancing the surface corrosion resistance of porous metallic implants and the effect of interfacial films on biological activity. The art of porous metallic implants manufactured by AM and their biocorrosion behaviour are discussed. This review also evaluates future trends and perspectives in additively manufactured synthetic orthopaedic implants porous with enhanced surface morphology.

Analysis of the Importance of Ceramic English to the Communication of Ceramic Culture to Foreign Countries

Abstract With the continuous improvement of China’s international status, the status of Chinese culture in global communication is also gradually apparent; ceramic culture as an important component of Chinese traditional culture in the foreign exchange and dissemination of value can not be ignored. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the status and impact of ceramic English on the external communication of ceramic culture. First, we analyze the characteristics and importance of ceramic English. Then, we construct a mechanism model for ceramic English and ceramic culture communication by combining the relationship between ceramic English and ceramic culture communication. Then, through the analysis of the communication path of ceramic culture, we explore the development direction in the communication of ceramic culture in foreign exchange, construct the audience model of ceramic culture based on cognitive behavior, and quantify the importance of ceramic English to the communication of ceramic culture in foreign exchange by combining with the statistical analysis method. The investigation and analysis have revealed that the comprehensive scores of the five samples are above 4 points, and the ceramic products are all at an excellent level. The effectiveness of ceramic English and the perfection of ceramic English have the highest standard coefficients of 0.224 and 0.231, respectively, and the p-value is 0.001. In the external communication of ceramic culture, the effectiveness and perfection of ceramic English have the greatest influence, and ceramic English has a pivotal position in the external communication of ceramic culture, which also proves that improving the development of the ceramic English level can effectively promote the development of ceramic culture. It also proves that improving the development of ceramic English can effectively promote the level of foreign exchange and dissemination of ceramic culture.

On the Possibility of Waste-Free Use of Mineral Resources of the Angrensky Brain Coal Deposit

The Angren lignite basin is a complex coal-kaolin deposit. Here, in addition to brown coal, there are large reserves of kaolin clays of two types - primary and secondary, occurring respectively in the soil and the roof of the coal strata. Secondary clays, in turn, subdivided into gray and variegated, which during overburden and mining of coal seams in the bulk go to the dump. Gray kaolins currently partially processed at the “Angren Kaolin” LLC factory in order to obtain enriched kaolin used for the production of building ceramics, etc.