Abstract
Production of ceramics was examined in detail through the analysis of packing structure of powder particles at all critical stages in processing. New characterization methods were introduced for the analysis of structure to understand various non-uniform structures and their subsequent changes in processing. The non-uniform structures focused are those responsible for the formation of coarse defects in ceramics and those relevant to the deformation during sintering. The former involves large pores, particles and aggregates, and are termed short range defects. They form coarse defects, which behave as fracture origins and govern the strength of ceramics. The latter involves variation of packing density, particle orientation, particle size segregation and anisotropic particle contacts. They cause deformation of parts and govern manufacturing of ceramics.
