CERAMICS AND CEMENTS: TWO SIDES OF ONE MEDAL

Ceramics and cements are granular materials that require microstructural engineering to optimise their properties. The history of the development of cementitious materials is reviewed, and their properties, structure and applications examined. Novel materials have put a new perspective on their structural, thermal and functional applications. Aspects discussed are the processing of clay-based ceramics and lime-based cements, the development of Portland cement, microstructure and morphology of cements, chemical bonding in Portland cement, the processing and properties of refractory castables, and the application of cements in waste management. 16 refs.