Ceramics, polymers and composites

Ceramics

Ceramics are brittle, hard, insulators of heat and they are non - conductors of electricity. Because they have these properties, they can be used in electrical pylons as they do not conduct electricity. They are also used in windows as they are insulators of heat. Ceramic materials such as china and pottery are made from clay. The atoms in many ceramic materials are held together in a lattice structure. When a molten ceramic cools slowly the crystals formed are large. They are formed by heating, then cooling. Other examples of ceramics are bricks, glass, tiles, mugs and toilets.

Polymers

Polymers are usually strong, flexible, non - conductors of heat and electricity, durable and unreactive. Polyethene is a polymer that is used for plastic bags as they are flexible and durable. Polyvinyl chloride is…