Polymorphism crystals and glasses

The microstructural aspects are discussed in detail in Chapter 3, but we must underline the decisive role that the ceramic microstmcture plays in relation to their properties, particularly sensitive properties like mechanical resistance or electric conductivity. The performances of the other categories of materials also depend on their microstmcture, but seldom to the same extent as in the case of ceramics. There are several reasons for this sensitivity of ceramics to microstmctural parameters  

Despite the small number of really useful ceramic compounds, the variety of microstiuctures makes a very large number of different apphcations possible. We will limit ourselves to two examples a ceramic prosthesis in alumina must be dense and fine-grained - to optimize mechanical resistance and tribological properties - 

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