Ceramic Coatings - Applications in Engineering

Ceramic materials are inorganic, non-metallic materials that are processed and used at high temperatures. They are highly resistant to corrosive compounds. Ceramic materials are harder; more resist to heat and frictions lasting longer than other materials which occurred by machining. These main properties make ceramic materials used unique or together with other materials. To make it usable with other materials, ceramic materials are generally coated on. These coatings may be thick and thin depending on the functional application. There are a wide range of ceramic coatings that can be applied to metal components in order to enhance their functional properties. Ceramic coatings can be categorised in terms of thickness. Thick coatings can be deposited in numerous ways but the most common are thermal spraying and enamelling, such as thermally sprayed alumina or tungsten carbide, or the enamel coatings on white wares. Ceramic coatings are often used as barrier materials to enhance the interaction between moving metal parts, such as in the automotive industry. However, they are also increasingly being employed to augment certain manufacturing processes, and exhibit potential for improving the efficiency of some fabricating methods. Ceramic coatings are sturdy and have a high level of lubricity, but due to oxidation concerns, they are typically used in temperatures under 1,200 degrees (F). However, this allows them to be applied to hot forging dies, which operate at lower temperatures. Ceramic coating increases the operational lifespan for these dies, allowing them to produce a greater number of parts before wearing down. This book entitled Ceramic Coatings - Applications in Engineering is intended to state the latest advancement in ceramic coatings technology in various industrial fields. The book covers topics associated to the applications of ceramic coating in engineering.