Oxide Ceramics

Oxides can be devided into two groups: the multicomponent oxides and the single oxides. The multicomponent oxides refer to those oxides which contain more than one cation type in the structure. This class covers a huge number of compounds. In general, with a few exceptions, mechanical properties of multicomponent oxides are not as good as the single oxides. However the additional cations allow a wide range of structural types to be synthesized, allowing a selective optimization of a single property or a set of properties.  The mechanical properties are strongly dependent on their surfaces and the presence of defects resulting from their finishing and handling. Production of ceramic articles start with fine powder which is given shape by various casting and pressing methods prior to sintering at approximately 0.7 of the melting temperature.