The relationship between clay and several other earthen substances with the ceramic engineers and scientists is not a new one but it is about 150 years old. Ceramics is constituted of non-metallic elements like clay, inorganic material like zirconium and at present, almost all industrial section depends on ceramics like construction sector for bricks, cement, pipe and tiles, glass industries for glassware and pottery, spark plugs industries in the consumer goods sector; refractory materials, electrical insulators, cutting tools and bearings manufactured in industries dealing with industrial products; high temperature tile insulation and composite materials in space technology; diodes, capacitors, magnetic materials and computer memory packages in the electronics sector; nuclear fuel rods for nuclear industry and ceramic spark plugs used in aerospace industry.

Nature of Work:

Ceramic engineers have to do deep and thorough study of the manufacturing, designing, applications and properties of ceramic materials.

· Research: Ceramic technologists have to effectively make the use of their scientific knowledge in the replacement of existing product with that of new best suited product. This research work is totally based on the study of formation of ceramics by chemical and thermal interaction of oxides.

· Design: Ceramic engineers have to work with full concentration on design of ceramic products as well as on the design of machineries and tools utilized in production.

· Production: Ceramic is having very distinct uses and because of this facet of ceramic, the ceramic technologists have to develop and focus on training for generating the glass material used in bulbs, window panes, tableware, etc. They can hold specialization in the field of their interest.

· Testing: The sample prepared by ceramic engineers is used for testing for surface finish, texture, uniformity, texture and strength and color too. This testing is also carried out for checking the quality of raw material used in the industry.

· Sales: Ceramic technologists also works in the sales to get an idea of customer demands so as to do changes as per the customer’s needs.

Personal features:

Ceramic engineers must have logical thinking, scientific outlook, inquisitive mind and analytical understanding of chemistry at the very beginning of the job. For working at international level, ceramic engineers need brilliant communication and interpersonal skills. Innovative stance and problem solving efficiency is the must required feature of a ceramic engineer.

Employment Avenues:

The job opportunity of ceramic engineers is not a confined one. They can be easily engaged in Industries producing cement, porcelain, glass, iron and steel and in the industries generating ceramics for power and also nuclear energy projects, aerospace and many more.