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| | :: The Center European of Ceramics :: |
 | | Extraordinary progress in the materials science has broadened the field of potentially useful properties to include electric, magnetic, optic, piezoelectric, mechanic and nuclear applications; and also the nature of raw materials used, including oxides and non-oxides (carbides and nitrides), which are products of the chemical industry. |
 | | Although clay, hydrated silicate aluminium oxide (SiO2 ALO3 H20), originally constituted the primary raw material for making decorative ceramics, tiles, sanitation installations and some refractory materials, the use of new natural and synthetic raw materials such as chipped alumina, silica, alumina silicates or magnesian silicates (cordierite, mullite, steatite) has encouraged the development of technical ceramics. |
 | | Among them, earth-alkalines, carbon and nitrogen have made it possible to develop new phases such as oxynitride, sialon and carbides, which are used in advanced technology ceramics. |
| www.cerameurop.com /english/ceramiques.htm (721 words) |
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