Cementing The Gap Between Ceramics, Cements, And Polymers

• Published in: Materials technology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 162 - 168
• Main Authors: Jeong, S. Y., Wagh, A. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2003
• ISSN: 1066-7857; 1753-5557
• DOI: 10.1080/10667857.2003.11753035

There is a wide gap between the attributes of sintered ceramics and Portland cement. While expensive compared with cement, ceramics have superior mechanical properties and ceramics are far more stable in acidic and high temperature environments. Modern technological needs are not fulfilled entirely by these two types of materials. Often there is a need for materials with properties in between. Chemically bonded ceramics can fulfill this need. In particular, chemically bonded phosphate ceramics (CBPCs) have been developed sufficiently during the last decade that they are poised to fill this gap between cements and ceramics. CBPCs are now finding their use in several fields. In addition to waste management applications, they are being considered for simple road repair during winter, development of novel architectural products, improved oil-field cements, even advanced bone and dental cements, all based on superior properties of CBPCs and their formation at ambient temperature. This paper provides an overview of these materials and their wide range of applications.