Nanostructured ceramics: a review of their potential

The driving forces for the recent development of nanoscale features in conv entional ceramic materials for both mechanical and functional reasons are d iscussed, and the causes of some of the resulting property enhancements are identified. Examples from the technical literature are examined, and the p otential for future applications is assessed in terms of the tradeoff betwe en enhanced properties and the added costs and difficulties of processing u ltrafine powders. (C) Crown copyright 2001. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley Rr Sons, Ltd.