New Insights into Ceramic Matrix Composites and Functional Ceramics

Dear Colleagues,

Multiscale characterization from the atomic to nanoscale dimensions is of high interest as it is becoming more important in understanding the synthesis and performance of advanced ceramic and their composites. A great amount of scientific research has been performed to limit the effect of their intrinsic brittleness and to understand the deformation and failure modes. Moreover, recent advances to understand, control, and design ceramics and composites at the nanoscale have been achieved, but long-term mechanical reliability remains a critical issue for successful applications in different industrial areas. Ceramics and ceramic matrix composites are candidates for many applications that involve high temperatures, chemical reactivity, or mechanical stresses. In recent years, a number of oxide  and non-oxide ceramic materials have been investigated for use in harsh industrial environments. The materials of interest comprise a wide range of ceramics, including conventional oxide ceramics such as alumina and zirconia as well as more specialized compositions such as boride, carbide, and nitride materials. The materials of interest can be monolithic, single phase ceramics, porous materials, multiphase particulate ceramics, or composites.

This special issue aims to give a brief overview of the features of advanced ceramic and composite microstructures and the corresponding techniques for characterizing them. The most widespread tools for characterization of ceramic microstructures are microscopic techniques involving different types of electron microscopy, various diffraction, spectroscopic, and nuclear methods.

Dr. Csaba Balázsi
Guest Editor

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• advanced characterization methods at multiple length scales
• electron microscopy and high-resolution imaging
• emerging characterization tools for ceramics and composites
• spectroscopic methods
• X-ray, neutron, synchrotron, and electron diffraction
• thermodynamic and kinetic studies
• mechanical testings at ambient or high temperatures
• joining of ceramic and composite parts
• Ab initio calculations and other predictive tools
• multiscale simulations and model