Ceramics, polymers and composites

In a nutshell

Ceramics and polymers are compounds. Composites are a mixture of compounds.

Ceramics

Ceramics are materials which are hard and brittle. They are made by baking a starting material in an oven that is extremely hot. they are stiff and insulators of heat and electricity.

Examples

Porcelain
Glass

Polymers

Polymers are long chains of repeating units known as monomers. Plastics are polymers.

Properties

Generally, polymers are insulators of heat and electricity
Flexible
Malleable
Light

Examples

Nylon
PVC
Poly(ethene)

Composites

Forming a composite material consisting of a mixture of compounds can be useful as desired properties can be obtained.

examples	uses	Properties
*Fibreglass*	Boats and surfboards	Consists of glass fibres in plastic Has low density Very strong
*Concrete*	Building material	Made from a mixture of sand and gravel embedded in cement Squashable material