Week 4 Readings

4. Materials science connection: from glaze logic to smart ceramics

Why connect art ceramics to advanced ceramics?

Traditional ceramic practice teaches a powerful design logic:

• choose materials → control processing → achieve properties → deliver function

That same logic appears in modern ceramic industries.

Two advanced ceramics examples (conceptual, beginner-friendly)

A) Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics
Why it matters: often valued for high-temperature stability, wear resistance, and strength.
Design translation: “surface durability + thermal performance” becomes the goal, not decoration.

B) Piezoelectric ceramics
Why it matters: can convert mechanical stress into electrical signals (useful in sensors and actuators).
Design translation: “structure + processing” affects performance and reliability.

Skill card: Property → Design → Application (fill-in)

• Property I want: __________

• Design decision: __________

• Possible application: __________

Example:
Property: electrical insulation
Design decision: choose a ceramic body with stable insulating behaviour
Application: insulators or protective components

Output this week

You will create:

• a Surface Reading Note (5 observations + 1 cautious hypothesis)

• a Kiln/Firing explanation in 3 sentences (no formulas)

• a Property → Design → Application mini map