Ceramics and ceramic composites are stable in extreme conditions and for this reason are the materials of choice when environments exceed the thermal and chemical capability of super-alloys and other metallic materials. As an example, aluminum nitride is used as a material in the aluminum industry because it is chemically and thermally resistant to molten aluminum, and molten cryolite, whereas most metals and metallic alloys are not. Cutting tools for cast iron are often made of silicon nitride, which can withstand the temperatures and stresses generated at their cutting edge during the cutting operation. Finally, if a material is needed to withstand ultra-high temperatures (> 2000 °C), ZrC or ZrB2 might be the material of choice because of their high melting points and their resistance to oxidation at high temperatures. These are just three examples of the use of ceramics as engineering materials under conditions that would literally destroy metals.

Despite their outstanding potential in extreme environments, ceramics and ceramic composites are often used right to the edge of destruction. Consequently, additional research is needed to improve their performance. In this Symposium, we intend to cover the latest achievements and improvements in the chemical, thermal and mechanical behavior of ceramics and composites used at high temperatures and extreme chemical environments. Methods of processing and testing these materials will be covered, as well as ways of determining and improving their long-term reliability. We hope to cover both the basic materials science and the engineering principles that determine the behavior of these materials.
Areas of particular interest include ultra high temperature ceramics; ternary compounds (e.g., Ti₃SiC₂); SiC, Si₃N₄, SiAlON, and AlN; boride ceramics; precursor derived ceramics, as well as related high-performing composites. New developments in processing, microstructure, mechanical and thermo-chemical behavior are of interest, as are new engineering developments and ways of establishing and improving reliability.

Session Topics

CE-1 Ultra High Temperature Ceramics (ZrC₂, ZrB₂, ZrO₂, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ etc.)

CE-2 Nitride, Carbide and Boride Ceramics (SiC, Si₃N₄, SiAlON, AlN, B₄C etc.)

CE-3 Precursor Derived Ceramics

CE-4 Ternary Compounds (Ti₃SiC₂, Ti₃AlC₂, etc.)

CE-5 Composites for Extreme Environments*

* Fiber reinforced composites. Please submit to 6th International Conference "Advanced Inorganic Fibre Composites for Structural and Thermal Management Applications"

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