Quality performer

Advanced ceramics have worn the ‘engineering materials of the future’ mantle for some time, but there is a growing sense that their hour is finally arriving.

Their performance in demanding environments such as high temperatures and high-friction makes ceramics attractive for a wide range of applications, whether in general engineering or for specific needs in emerging areas such as biomaterials.

Research is also increasing into the production technology needed for their wider manufacturing applications.

PowderMatrix — one of the Faraday Partnerships set up by the government to stimulate growth in promising technology markets — listed an array of opportunities for ceramics in its ‘roadmap’ for the UK sector.

These included body armour, components for fuel cells, hightemperature materials for turbines, sensors, actuators and ceramic membranes. Ceramics technology also opens the way for a new generation of cutting tools.

Two examples of applied technologies from Morgan Technical Ceramics (MTC), a division of UK advanced materials giant Morgan Crucible, offer a flavour of the potential of advanced ceramics.