Engineering Ceramics '96: Higher Reliability through Processing

There has been significant progress in the development of engineering ceramics, but their mass production still presents difficulties. All processing techniques - powder production, mixing, forming and sintering - are equally important and all can introduce defects into the material. The properties of ceramics can be considerably improved by creating composites, whether at micro or macro level. <br/> The papers presented here are grouped under three headings. The first, 'Advanced Powderless and Powder Processing' covers the latest advances in the preparation of powders, hybrid processing from organometallic precursors and <em>in situ</em> reactions. 'Engineering Ceramic Monoliths and Composites' describes the advanced processing of various composite and SiAlON materials. The last section, 'Advances in Mechanical, Thermal and Physical Properties through Processing' studies factors influencing the properties of ceramic monoliths and composites, the emphasis being on the provision of processing advice.