Raw Materials of Ceramics

Abstract

A majority of the elements listed in the periodic table are used to manufacture ceramics. A variety of ceramics are manufactured using these raw materials. Raw materials of ceramics are classified into natural materials, minerals with nearly no processing or refinement either by physical or chemical methods being needed, and artificial raw materials (also called synthetic raw materials), which are produced by extracting needed components from natural minerals. Natural raw materials are used to manufacture traditional ceramics such as potteries, porcelains, refractories, cement and glass, while artificial materials are used to manufacture ``fine ceramics'' (or advanced ceramics) intended for electronics, photonics, etc.