ceramica

Ceramica, or ceramics, is the art and science of shaping and firing inorganic, non-metallic materials to produce objects that are hard, heat resistant, and durable. The field covers traditional crafts such as pottery, sculpture, and tiles, as well as industrial and engineering ceramics used in electronics, aerospace, and medicine. Common ceramic products include tableware, sanitaryware, bricks, and porcelain. The term can refer to both handmade objects and mass-produced components, and it encompasses both historical crafts and modern ceramic engineering.

Most ceramics are made from clays and mineral additives. Key clay bodies include kaolin, ball clay, and fire clays, which are blended with fluxes and silica to form workable bodies. Forming methods range from wheel throwing and hand-building to slip casting and pressed molding. After shaping, objects are fired in kilns at high temperatures to vitrify the material; glazing and surface decoration are common enhancements. The resulting materials may be porous (earthenware) or vitrified (stoneware and porcelain).

Historically, ceramics emerged in ancient civilizations where pottery and glazed wares marked social and technological development. Chinese porcelain, Persian and Islamic maiolica, and European faience each contributed distinctive glaze and firing traditions. The advent of industrial ceramics in the 19th and 20th centuries enabled mass production of ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, electrical insulators, and engine components. Today, ceramics span craft, fine art, and high-performance engineering, including advanced ceramics such as alumina, silicon carbide, and zirconia, as well as ceramic coatings and 3D-printed ceramic parts.

Etymology and usage: the word derives from Latin ceramica and Greek keramikē, referring to ceramic arts. In many languages, cerámica or ceramica denotes ceramics in general. In contemporary contexts, "ceramics" distinguishes the material science and industrial sectors from glass or metals, while "ceramica" may appear in brand names, museums, or regional designations.