Ceramics, composite and polymers

ceramics

non-metallic solids containing no carbon

properties of ceramics

• have high melting points

• excellent insulators of heat + electricity

• stiff

• brittle

properties of clay

• soft when dug out

• hardens when fired at a high temperature

properties of glass

• generally transparent

• moulded when hot

• brittle when thin

What is soda-lime glass made of?

• limestone

• sand

• sodium

• carbonate

What is borosilicate glass made of?

• sand

• boron trioxide

composite

made of one mterial imbedded in another

properties of polymers

• held by strong covalent bonds

• thermal + electrical insulators

• flexible + easily moulded

• properties depend on monomer

properties of thermosoftening polymers

• individual, tangled chains of polymers

• weak intermolecular forces between chains

  • so flexible

properties of thermosetting

• has cross-links between chains (ionic/covalent bonds)

  • therefore won’t melt but chars instead

• strong, hard + rigid