Thermal analysis in the ceramics & glass industry
Thermal analysis in the ceramics and glass industry
Innovative materials for the future: glass and ceramics
Ceramics and glass have a long history and yet are indispensable materials in numerous modern and traditional applications. Today, these terms cover a wide range of high-tech products that are used in the most diverse areas of our daily lives and in advanced technologies.
The variety ranges from simple window glass and decorative ceramics to high-performance materials that have little in common with the original materials. They offer robust and adaptable solutions for various industries that are constantly striving for innovation.
Ceramics: variety, functionality and precision
From classic to technical ceramics
Ceramics can generally be divided into coarse and fine ceramics. While coarse ceramics use natural raw materials such as clay, quartz and feldspar to produce mainly ceramic building materials such as clay bricks, fine ceramics use synthetically processed raw materials with grain sizes of less than 0.1 mm. Classic ceramics include products such as tableware, sanitary ceramics and decorative elements, while technical ceramics and high-performance ceramics were developed specifically for specialized industrial applications.
Traditional applications
Ceramics have been used in household and decorative applications for centuries. Particularly in the area of tableware, kitchen utensils and sanitary ceramics, ceramics offer important functional properties in addition to their aesthetic appeal:
- Hygienic surfaces: Due to the smooth and non-porous surface, ceramic products are easy to clean and therefore ideal for use in hygienically sensitive areas.
- High resistance to acids and alkalis: This makes ceramic the ideal choice for everyday use in the home but also in many industrial applications, as it is resistant to chemicals in cleaning agents and foodstuffs.
- Glazed surfaces: In the kitchen, for example ceramic pans or dishes for microwaves, ceramic is often glazed to create a glass-like, closed and water-impermeable surface.
Technical ceramics - materials with a high-performance character
The technical applications of ceramics have become increasingly important in recent decades. The properties of technical ceramics have been optimized with regard to the respective application.
These included the categories of oxide ceramics, non-oxide ceramics and electroceramic materials. These are characterized by outstanding mechanical, thermal and chemical properties and are used in high-performance applications:
- Electronic components: The excellent insulating properties of ceramics predestine them for use in electronic components such as capacitors and semiconductors or piezo elements.
- Wear-resistant components: Materials such as silicon carbide are extremely hard and ideal for high-temperature environments or applications that require mechanical wear.
- Medical implants: Bioceramics such as zirconium oxide are used as implant materials in medical technology because they are biocompatible and corrosion-resistant.
High-performance ceramics
Engineering ceramics are used in areas where extreme conditions prevail, such as aerospace, the automotive industry and the manufacture of cutting tools. These include materials such as:
- Oxide ceramics (e.g. aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide), which are used in high-temperature applications and under high loads due to their high thermal stability.
- Composite materials, such as metal-ceramics and fiber composites, which open up new fields of application thanks to their combination of strength and flexibility.
Glass: transparency meets function
Architecture and construction
Glass plays a key role in the building industry and is valued not only for its aesthetic effect but also for its functional properties:
- Energy-efficient window glazing: Modern glazing with special coatings reduces energy consumption by controlling heat radiation.
- Safety glass: Laminated and tempered glass offers increased breakage resistance and impact resistance and is used in facades, vehicles and public facilities.
Electronics and optics
Glass is an indispensable component of modern electronics and optical systems:
- Display technology: Special glasses such as Gorilla Glass offer the necessary robustness and clarity for smartphones and tablets.
- Optical fibersOptical fibers enable loss-free data transmission over long distances and form the basis for modern communication systems.
Raw material groups and analyzable properties
Ceramic materials are made from a variety of raw materials, which are divided into different groups. These include
- Silicate ceramics: Consisting of clay, quartz and feldspar, they are the basis for classic ceramics.
- Oxide ceramics: Materials such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) are widely used in technical ceramics.
- Non-oxide ceramicsMaterials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) are known for their outstanding thermal and mechanical resistance. They often consist of oxygen-free silicon compounds, but nevertheless belong to the class of ceramics, as their structure and properties are very similar to those of oxide ceramics.
Smart technologies and new applications
In the modern age, ceramics and glass are increasingly developing into intelligent materials with special properties:
- Self-cleaning surfaces: Special surface treatments can repel dirt and water.
- Energy generation: glass surfaces with integrated photovoltaics allow windows to be used to generate electricity, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of buildings.
Innovative processing methods
Laser processing
Ultra-short pulse lasers enable precise and gentle processing of glass and ceramics. This is particularly important in the manufacture of medical products and in electronics production, where precise cutting edges and drill holes are required without damaging the material.
Ceramic sealants
Ceramic coatings improve the surfaces of vehicles and offer properties such as scratch resistance, UV protection and self-cleaning. These sealants extend the service life of the products and minimize maintenance costs.
Analysis options: Thermal analysis of ceramics and glass
Thermal analysis makes it possible to investigate and optimize many important and specific properties of ceramic and glass materials:
- Thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and the specific heat capacity can be measured and analyzed in order to find optimum production conditions and use energy more efficiently. Especially the sintering behavior during the firing process of the ceramic can be dilatometer-measurement can be precisely measured and predicted.
- In the mass preparation and during sintering, thermal analysis (thermogravimetry) can also be used to check the exact composition of the raw material and precisely adjust the water content and grain size.
- Electrical conductivity and the chemical composition of glasses and ceramics can be investigated in order to improve their properties and adjust the process parameters.
Practical examples from the industry
Use Case 1: Quality control of high-performance ceramics
Thermal analysis (e.g. dilatometer or TGA/DSC) can be used to precisely determine the sintering behavior.
This allows manufacturers to determine the optimum firing curve and specifically control strength, density and thermal conductivity. This saves energy and increases product quality.
Use Case 2: Thermal stability of glass coatings
With a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) is used to measure glass transition temperatures and crystallization processes.
This makes it possible to develop coatings that are more temperature-resistant and durable – ideal for solar glass or displays.
Future prospects
Ceramics and glass play a key role in future-oriented technologies:
- Renewable energies: Ceramics are used in fuel cells, while glass is used in photovoltaics and fiber optic technology.
- Medical technology: Advances in bioceramics open up new possibilities for durable implants and prostheses.
- Industry 4.0: The integration of smart manufacturing processes and intelligent materials enables precise and efficient production of glass and ceramic components.
