The word “ceramic” generally makes one think of cereal bowls or plates, ceramic tiles lining the interior of tunnels, or ceramic tiles in the kitchen or bathroom. These are only a few of the plethora of applications of ceramics. Ceramic is a cutting-edge, cost-effective, high-temperature material with unique properties that make it a highly coveted and easily available component of simple applications like the above mentioned, and also many other applications like computer chips, fiber optics, spark plugs, airbag sensors, bathroom sinks, lab equipment and bone implants. Ceramic engineering is the study of how to create objects from inorganic, non-metallic materials, either by the action of heat, or at low temperatures using precipitation reactions from high purity chemical solutions. Ceramic materials have many special and unique characteristics that are used in materials engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering and are used in a wide range of industries like mining, aerospace, food and chemical industries or electronics. Ceramic engineers can find work in research and development. They can specialize in refractories, glass, white wares, abrasives or cements and work as part of a team of engineers and technicians to develop and discover materials to support products and systems that will impact everyday life.

Topics covered in Ceramic Engineering

The Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Ceramic Technology is generally a four-year course.

• The first year usually covers engineering basics common to all branches of engineering.
• The third semester could have subjects such as solid state physics and chemistry, unit operation basics, chemical thermodynamics and kinetics, and introduction to ceramics and geology. Practicals for this semester could include physical testing of ceramic raw materials, mineralogy and microscopic analysis, chemical analysis of ceramic raw materials and products, and a software lab.
• The fourth semester usually covers subjects like computer science and operation research, a continuation of unit operation, ceramic raw materials, basics of process ceramics, energy engineering and furnaces, and process calculations. Labs may be in energy engineering and ceramic raw materials, unit operation or software.
• The third year could include subjects like the basics of refractories, glass, white wares, cement and concrete, metallurgy and ceramic coatings. Practicals are usually conducted as well. The second half of the third year may continue to cover refractories, glass, white wares, advanced ceramics, process ceramics and engineering material science.
• The first half of the final year could include physical ceramics, instrumentation and process control, advanced ceramics, financial management and accounts, and quality assurance. Electives may also be available. The latter half might consist of subjects like value and ethics, industrial management, and energy and environment management. A project usually has to be undertaken and completed within the final year, as well as a comprehensive viva voce at the end of the year and course.

Colleges offering Ceramic Engineering Courses

Some colleges that offer programs such as a B.Tech. in Ceramic Engineering are:

Programs are subject to change, it is advisable to check directly with a school for current program availability.