The challenge for ceramic materials

This paper deals with new avenues of R+D which presently lead to the develo pment of new ceramic materials. It points out that the equilibrium diagrams constitute a basic tool to design monolithic ceramics. This is the case of mullite and silicon carbide based materiales. New routes to design materia ls inspired in Nature, laminate, functionally graded materials and artifici al opals are also reported. Sequential slip casting route is proposed to ob tain layered and functionally graded ceramics. A new route for the obtentio n of fiber reinforced ceramic material composites with a weak fiber/matrix interfase resistant to oxidizing atmosphere by reactive coatings is also pr oposed. Finally controlled sedimentation is offered as a new route to obtai n artificial opals.