What Is a Ceramic Plate?
A Ceramic Plate is a board fired from natural materials such as clay or silica stone.
Ceramic is made of non-metallic materials and thus differs from those made of pure metals or alloys. Generally, it has long been used universally as a fire-resistant and durable plate.
Uses of Ceramic Plates
Ceramic Plates are used as a durable material for roof tiles, plasterboard, ceramics, cement walls, and glass panels.
Ceramic Plates are characterized by their light weight compared to metal plates and heavier compared to plastic plates, as well as its hardness and heat resistance.
Currently, in accordance with advances in raw material refining and processing technology, they are also used for mechanical materials, electronic materials, composite armor, and other materials. However, they are prone to thermal shock fracture and brittle fracture due to local structural defects in the interior, and are characterized by large variations in strength and difficulty in processing, resulting in poor reliability.
Principle of Ceramic Plates
Ceramic Plates can be made from the following materials: carbide using silicon carbide, carbonate using magnesium carbonate, oxide using barium titanate, zirconia, alumina, etc., halide using fluorite, phosphate using zirconyl phosphate, nitride using silicon nitride, etc, hydroxide system using hydroxyapatite, etc.
A Ceramic Plate is a board or a square plate made from these raw materials according to the intended use. There are also boards made of carbon-based raw materials using carbon as a composite material. Ceramic Plates are used as structural materials because they are easily broken by slight impacts.
Characteristics of Ceramics
The low fracture toughness of ceramics, which is the cause of their brittleness, is due to the strong ionic and covalent bonding between metallic and nonmetallic ions. When a strong force is applied between metal and nonmetal ions, their atoms try to shift from their original positions to those of their neighbors.
Since metal and nonmetal ions are tightly bonded, there is very little misalignment between atoms that are not subjected to a force. Therefore, regions where the bonding is displaced by a strong force will not be attracted again, resulting in a brittle, non-sticky plate.
However, there are ways to overcome this disadvantage. Specifically, ceramics mixed with fabrics such as alumina fibers, silicon carbide, and carbon fibers as reinforcement materials are hardened and fired. Fiber-reinforced ceramics made by this method can complement the brittleness of ceramics.
Types of Ceramic Plates
Ceramic Plates are used in different places and for different purposes depending on the material. Each should be used appropriately depending on its functionality and characteristics.
Note: Enamel is not a category of ceramic because it is a glaze film over metal.
1. Glass Ceramic Plate
Glass Ceramic Plates have excellent heat resistance and do not emit toxic substances when heated. In addition, because of its high transmission of infrared rays, it is characterized by its ability to transmit heat very easily between the non-heated object and the source of the fire as a protective plate.
Furthermore, its high chemical resistance makes it excellent as a protective board against corrosive liquids.
2. Gypsum Board
Gypsum, a mineral composed mainly of calcium sulfate, is used as a building material because of its high fire resistance and excellent sound insulation properties. It is often used as a finishing base material for interior walls, ceilings, and cross-laying because of its inorganic nature and its resistance to fire spread.
3. Concrete Walls
Ceramic Plates, used as a material for concrete walls, are also used for building exteriors and interior walls, where its simple colors and the distinctive texture of the material are gaining popularity.
4. Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles are made of ceramic material and tiled. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, but those with a texture similar to natural stone can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, and other water areas, and are also widely used for floors and walls.
They are also characterized by their high maintainability. By applying a stain-resistant finish after the installation of ceramic tiles, they can be kept shiny and clean without periodic waxing.