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- Non-metallic mineral (clay) used to form
- articles that are then fired at high
- temperatures. Ceramics are divided into heavy
- clay products (bricks, roof tiles,
- drainpipes, sanitary ware), refractories or
- high-temperature materials (linings for
- furnaces used to manufacture steel, fuel
- elements in nuclear reactors), and pottery,
- which uses china clay, ball clay, china
- stone, and flint. Super-ceramics, such as
- silicon carbide, are lighter, stronger, and
- more heat-resistant than steel for use in
- motor and aircraft engines and have to be
- cast to shape since they are too hard to
- machine.
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