Custom brick manufacturers can't automate their processes-or can they? As Carolina Ceramics recently discovered, advances in automation technology are quickly making just about anything possible.

As demonstrated by Harper International, true success can only be achieved if you're willing to take risks.

Glass and ceramic manufacturers have a variety of options to consider when deciding how to decorate ware to create a desired appearance. There are no absolute rules that must be followed; however, experience and a basic understanding of decorating technology are critical.

As technical ceramics make further inroads into the marketplace with new applications, increasing demands are being made to address the cost of machining.

Over the last decade, significant advances have been made in metal matrix composites (MMCs) and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). The success of these materials is typically the result of a lengthy development cycle, which includes component design and modeling; matrix selection; reinforcement selection, including placement in the matrix; and method of composite fabrication.

To ensure development of a homogeneous, defect-free coating, a paint evaluation procedure (binder volume dilution procedure) that determines the critical pigment volume concentration (CPVC) can be applied to the ceramic slurry.

The manufacture of ceramics for the semiconductor industry is typical of standard structural ceramics manufacturing, using traditional forming and densification methods. The biggest difference is the high purity requirement of the ceramic, and occasionally the very tight control over electrical properties.

More than 120 researchers from around the world attended the 10th international JFCC workshop held in mid-March of this year. Sponsored by the Japan Fine Ceramics Center located in Nagoya, Japan, the workshop focused on grain boundary engineering of ceramics.

Further development of the isostatic pressing process, along with advances in granulate technology, are making it possible to achieve increased product quality and economic efficiency in tableware production.

There is a growing demand for abrasion resistant polymer systems for coating applications in sensors, optics, textiles and numerous consumer goods, but conventional epoxy materials generally don’t provide enough wear resistance. To solve these problems, a polymer dispersion incorporating nanocrystalline alumina was developed.