Monolithic Ceramics Applications - A Global Market Overview

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The earliest known use of ceramics dates back to around 24,000 B.C. with archaeologists finding ceramics made by man in the current Czechoslovakia region which were of shapes like human and animal figures, balls etc. They were made of animal fat mixed with clay like substance and bone ash and subsequently subjected to high temperatures of nearly 800°C, though it was thought be of no practical use then.

Pottery was estimated to be in existence since 9,000 B.C. for storing food and grains. Even glass manufacture was supposed to have started during the same period around 8000 B.C. in Egypt. The shining imparted to ceramics was considered to be due to the combination of calcium oxide, along with soda and sand which when overheated imparted this property to ceramics. Glass was thought to be produced independently from ceramics around only after 1500 B.C.As centuries progressed, there was more sophistication employed in the production of ceramics and glass, Ceramics have played a key role in mankind’s progress and there are many instances which underscore the importance of ceramics in our everyday living.

Sophisticated materials used for refractory purposes in the heating of furnaces and kilns since ancient times forms the basis for modern steel, iron and metal production concepts which have made production of aeroplanes, buildings and machine a practical reality. Industries like petroleum and glass have been designed based on the concepts derived from refractory ceramics.

Ceramics is used in most of the activities of construction industry for the production of cement, bricks, glass etc. While cement is used for making concrete used for building dams, buildings etc. and glass is used for windows, decorative constructions and fibres are used for roofing tiles and insulation. Brick, by means of its strength and aesthetic look is used for construction as they don’t melt; rust or rot and tiles are used for flooring, fireplaces and walls as it is a strong product which enhances the beauty of constructions.

A significant event that changes the course of modern science is the invention of light bulb by Edison in 1879 which was conceivable due to glass. Lighting technology gradually started evolving and by mid-20th century there were various forms of lamps like fluorescent lamps, neon lamps, and sodium discharge lamps, for various purposes. Recently, light-emitting diode (LED) technology is being used widely in watches, telecommunications (optical fibre networks), CD’s and printers.