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What Are Some Interesting Industrial Applications for Ceramic?

Share your industry knowledge via Core77's discussion topic of the week

By Core Jr - April 5, 2016

in Forum Frenzy | Materials

This week we bring you our pressing topic of the moment straight from our reader-driven discussion boards! One Core77 reader has an interesting query about how ceramics are used in different industrial processes. bepster asks:

"I have been fascinated with ceramic for a long time...[I've] always enjoyed the look and feel of the material.
I am curious what the options and implications are for this material to be used in consumer electronics.

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Braun launched a watch in '14. I ordered it (as it is also a great looking time piece) but I wanted to see if there are any experiences with this material here? And maybe guesses how this watch is made? I would guess it's molded in some way and then post CNC'd?"

Any idea as to how these ceramic watches come to be? Know of any other awesome modern applications of ceramics that are highly functional or totally unexpected and worth sharing? Share your knowledge with us in the comment feed below!

(Also feel free to check out the original post and contribute on our discussion board!)

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Sean Horita

8 years ago

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I remember seeing a ceramic shaving razor a long time ago - wasn't sure if it was a concept or one-off - but the handle and blade were one piece and it "never needed sharpening".
Most likely Gillette had the designer killed.

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Dee An

8 years ago

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-Electrically insulating
-Heat resistant*
-Wont catch fire
*Some ceramics are less prone to thermal shock (i.e rapid cooling, such as placing a hot baking dish into cold water) than others.

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Dee An

8 years ago

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Curious that a Braun watch should be used as an example - the company RADO are normally most ascociated with using ceramics in their watches. The advantages of ceramics- some of which are applicable to consumer electronics - are hardness, hypoallergenic, matt or smooth textures, and a feeling of warmth. Also, they allow radio waves to pass through (which is why glass is sometimes used on the backs of mobile phones).
- http://www.rado.com/about/materials
RADO do have some patents, suggesting that details of their processes can be hunted down online.
Other areas I have seen ceramics used have been on bicycle rims, to enhance braking (back in the days before disc brakes were the norm). This cermaic would be plasma deposited onto aluminium. Much the same is done with some watch bezels.
I find the best pepper mills use ceramic grinders. Ideally, I use German made pepper mills, so look for 'Keramic' spelling!

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Neil Bradley

8 years ago

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Ceramic skateboard bearings are really great, since they are rust-proof and harder than normal stainless steel bearings they don't scratch easily if debris gets in the bearings and they aren't easily damaged by rain. Good stuff.

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Sean Donaldson

8 years ago

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The last of a true Nokia phone the N9 was designed with zirconium ceramic buttons and camera backing plate. Zirconium is a hard wearing and scratch resistant material and is also used to make ceramic knifes.
Would be great to see more of this material being used on everyday items such as our mobile phones or tablets!

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