Keramiske

Keramiske refers to ceramics, the science, technology, and art of ceramic materials and objects. It covers inorganic non-metallic materials produced by firing natural earth minerals as well as their finished products, including pottery, tiles, sanitaryware, porcelain, and advanced ceramic components used in industry and technology.

The term derives from the Greek keramos, meaning potter’s clay, and is used across several languages to describe both the broad field and its elements. The history of keramiske spans ancient pottery traditions in the Middle East, Egypt, and China to the development of glazed wares, porcelain, and later industrial ceramics. In modern times, ceramics have expanded into high-performance materials for engineering, medical, and electronics applications.

Materials and properties common to keramiske include oxide ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia), non-oxide ceramics (like silicon carbide and silicon nitride), and glass or glass-ceramics. Ceramic materials typically exhibit high hardness, wear resistance, and thermal stability, along with excellent electrical insulation and chemical corrosion resistance. They are often brittle and susceptible to fracture from tensile stress, which drives ongoing research into tougher composites and nano-structured ceramics.

Manufacturing processes involve shaping (throwing, wheel-throwing, slip casting, pressing, extrusion), drying, and sintering to densify powders, often in a controlled atmosphere. Finishing steps may include glazing and surface treatment. Advances in processing, including additive manufacturing and automation, continue to expand the range of keramiske applications.

Applications of keramiske span traditional pottery and tiles to advanced components in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and biomedical fields, reflecting the versatility and ongoing evolution of ceramic science and art.