Buildings
Structure, lining, insulation or finish depending on family.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength80
Heat resistance96
Fire performance94
Insulation46
Workability22
Circularity44
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Quick answers
Is Technical ceramics non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: A1. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Technical ceramics insulate?
Thermal mark 46/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: Al2O3 ~20–30; AlN higher; ZrO2 low.
What is the density band?
3.2–6 g/cm³ class
How is it made?
Origin story: 20th c. spark plugs / WWII carbides (Germany / US / Japan).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 44/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
often >2000 °C
heat 96 · fire 94
Technical ceramics earns its keep in systems: a beam, a batt, a fibre blend, a coated steel — rarely a lone coupon.
Products below are cultural landmarks as much as SKUs.
Sectors
Transport
Mass, fire and fatigue rewrite the grade list.
Energy
Heat, voltage and hydrogen compatibility.
Consumer
The volume that pays for the mill.
Medical / food
When allowed — extractables and allergies matter.
Defence / safety
Ballistics, FR clothing, fire stops.
Products
Spark plug insulator
1920s–
WC-Co insert
1920s–
YSZ TBC
1990s–
Alumina hip
1970s–
SiC MOSFET
2010s–
Kiln furniture
historic
Ceramic knife
1980s–
MLCC barium titanate
1950s–
Pairings
glass
Amorphous silicate vs crystalline engineering body.
ceramic-fiber
The fibrous high-T insulation form.
steel
The ductile competitor that forgives cracks.
concrete
The cheap hydraulic ceramic of cities.
If the pairing is wrong, the material will be blamed for a system fault.
Keep exploring
More in Ceramics & wood
🪟
Glass
Frozen silicate liquid — windows, bottles, fibres and a Euroclass A1 skin that still shatters and melts in fire.
Overall 58 🏗️Concrete
The hydraulic ceramic of cities — cement, water, rock and usually steel, with a fire story better than exposed steel.
Overall 57 🌲Wood
Anisotropic cellulose composite grown as trees — carpentry, mass timber and a combustible story that codes still manage.
Overall 57 🎋Bamboo
A fast grass culm sold as timber — scaffolding, flooring and a glue story that decides the indoor air.
Overall 55