Fundamentals of Ceramics

Book excerpt: Updated and improved, this revised edition of Michel Barsoum's classic text Fundamentals of Ceramics presents readers with an exceptionally clear and comprehensive introduction to ceramic science. Barsoum offers introductory coverage of ceramics, their structures, and properties, with a distinct emphasis on solid state physics and chemistry. Key equations are derived from first principles to ensure a thorough understanding of the concepts involved. The book divides naturally into two parts. Chapters 1 to 9 consider bonding in ceramics and their resultant physical structures, and the electrical, thermal, and other properties that are dependent on bonding type. The second part (Chapters 11 to 16) deals with those factors that are determined by microstructure, such as fracture and fatigue, and thermal, dielectric, magnetic, and optical properties. Linking the two sections is Chapter 10, which describes sintering, grain growth, and the development of microstructure. Fundamentals of Ceramics is ideally suited to senior undergraduate and graduate students of materials science and engineering and related subjects.