Ceramic Engineering

Ceramics and Ceramic Engineering today plays crucial roles in simplifying our lives by helping us in several ways. Wide ranging uses of ceramic can be witnessed everywhere. In Aerospace Industry, it is used for manufacturing aircraft engines, airframes, space shuttles tiles, etc. Dentistry has also advanced with Ceramic teeth. The switches and lenses you see are also made up of ceramics.

Ceramic Engineering: An Overview

Ceramic Engineering deals with the creation of objects from inorganic and non-metallic materials by using heat, or lowering temperatures through precipitation reactions from high purity chemical solutions. Ceramic materials, being heat resistant finds usefulness in mining, aerospace, refinery, medicine, and a wide range of other industries. Ceramic Engineers are engaged in manufacturing objects that help computers & electronic devices operate, improve health of people in different ways and support the process of global telecommunication.

Core Subjects of Ceramic Engineering

The Ceramic Engineering curriculum in most of the institutes includes courses like Materials Thermodynamics, Raw Materials Analysis, Ceramic Processing, Drawing of Refractory Lining and Joints, Ceramic Fabrication, Ceramic Equipment Design, Sensor Technology, Electrical and Magnetic Ceramics, Pollution & Waste Management in Ceramic Industry, and lots more. The core subjects of Ceramic Engineering are as follows:

• Applied Mathematics
• Solid State Physics & Chemistry
• Chem. Thermo & Kinetics
• Introduction to Ceramics
• Geology
• Physical Testing of Ceramic Raw Materials
• Chemical Analysis of Cer Rawmats & Products
• Engg. Materials Science
• Computer Sc & Operation Research
• Metallurgy.
• Ceramic Raw materials
• Ceramic Coatings
• Process Ceramics
• Cement & Concrete
• Energy Engg. & Furnaces
• Physical Ceramics
• Instrumentation & Process Control

Why Ceramic Engineering?

Being a cutting-edge & low-cost material, the use of ceramic material is on a rise. Starting from producing ceramic teeth, bones, joints to implementation of the same in fibre optic cables used by doctors to see inside the human body or manufacturing ceramic superconductors, lasers and so on, Ceramic Engineering is needed. Applications of Ceramic Engineering are witnessing an expansion because of recent advances in the field of physics and chemistry, including ceramics which include bio-ceramics, such as dental implants and synthetic bones. Hydroxyapatite, the natural mineral component of bone, has been made synthetically from a number of biological and chemical sources and can be formed into ceramic materials.

Let’s have a look at the application areas of Ceramic Engineering below- 

• Construction
• Electronics
• Medicine
• Military
• Optical Materials
• Sports
• Transportation

Roles of Ceramic Engineers

A Ceramic Engineer is a materials specialist, who focuses on the use of ceramics in the production of products ranging from heat-resistant tiles on spacecraft to fiber optic cable. Let’s have a glance at some of the duties of Ceramic Engineers below-

• Ceramic Engineers develop procedures for processing nonmetallic inorganic materials into various ceramic products such as fibre optic products, glassware, coatings for space vehicles, components of nuclear fuel, pollution control devices, etc.
• They are involved in research, product development, and production engineering of ceramic products that are in compliance with the required quality norms.
• These specialized engineers develop advanced heat tiles for space shuttles and supersonic space planes. They also produce ceramic teeth, bones and joints for replacing parts of the human body.
• They contribute towards ultra-fast computer systems using ceramic superconductors, lasers, and glass optical fibers. Ceramic Engineers also help in developing such materials that enclose and support aircraft engines functioning at high temperatures. Not only this, these engineers discover innovative uses of ceramics to strengthen infrastructure by building highways and bridges.

How to pursue Ceramic Engineering?

One has to pass higher secondary board exam from a recognized board in India with Science- Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry to pursue B.Tech in Ceramic Engineering. This is the minimum eligibility criteria.

Top colleges for studying Ceramic Engineering

IIT-BHU Varanasi	Rajasthan Technical University
NIT Rourkela	Ceramic Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata
Government College Of Engineering & Ceramic Technology, Kolkata	University of Calcutta
Anna University, Chennai	West Bengal University of Technology
Government College Of Engineering and Technology, Rajasthan	Andhra University

Duration of UG degree in Ceramic Engineering: 4 Years, Full Time

Scope after B.Tech in Ceramic Engineering

Ceramic engineering graduates find numerous job opportunities in varied domains like Mining, Aerospace, Medicine, Refinery, Food & Chemical Industry, Packaging Science, Electronics, Industrial & Transmission Electricity and Guided Light Wave Transmission. Aspirants can have a look at some of the job opportunities in different domains below-

Decorative ware Industry	Engine components manufacturing units
Research firms	Design firms
Ceramic ware manufacturing units	Educational Institutes
Construction services	Inspection services
Production firms	Testing firms
Laboratories	Research firms
Table ware Industry	Sanitary ware Industry
Glass bulbs factory	Cutting tools Industry
Enamels factories	Kitchen ware Industry

Job Profiles

Ceramic Engineers can find jobs in reputed organizations in India and abroad. After completion of their course, they can seek employment opportunities in production industries, hospitals and research institutes in government sector and in various arms of state & central government. Professionals in this career can also opt for teaching jobs in universities and colleges as well. Let’s have a glance at some of the job profiles:

• Ceramic Technologist
• Ceramic Designer
• Administrator
• Production Worker
• Technician
• Construction Manager
• Researcher
• Marketing Executive
• Professor

Top Recruiters

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Indian Space Research Organization

Defense Metallurgical Research Laboratory

Institute for Plasma Research

A Ceramic Engineer has a very bright future ahead. He/she has a number of options to choose from, in terms of domains. Ceramic Industry is a vast area and offers numerous opportunities of growth to the aspirants.