Engineering and Technology


Ceramic Engineering


Ceramic engineers develop new ceramic materials and methods for making ceramic materials into useful products. Ceramics include all nonmetallic, inorganic materials that generally require high temperatures in their processing. Ceramic engineers work on products as diverse as glassware, automobile and aircraft engine components, fibre-optic communication lines, tile, and electric insulators.

Ceramic engineers carry out research, design machine and processing methods and develop new ceramic materials and products. They work with highly advanced materials, such as high strength silicon carbides, nitrides and zirconias.

Specialisations

Ceramic engineers may specialise in design and production in special areas for products such as glass used in tableware, fibre optics, bulbs, electronic equipment, cement used in construction, ceramic for pottery, tiles, plumbing fixtures, insulators used in electrical equipment, structural ceramics used in tools and machine components, bioengineering, electronic ceramics for integrated circuits, magnets, sensors, structural clay used for enamel cookware, sewer pipes and even jewellery.

Employment

Glass, cement, electronic, ceramic and electrical industries employ ceramic engineers. Besides specific engineering opportunities, they also work in research and in management in industries dealing with ceramic equipment and products. Teaching is another option.