Technical ceramics, also called advanced ceramics, are a group of very hard, inert, and dimensionally stable oxides, carbides and nitrides. They are formed from powder, solid or gas, into engineering components and coatings used in some of the most demanding and extreme applications.

The chemical composition of these materials is carefully controlled and adjusted to suit the requirements of an application. 3D shapes are formed by pressing a powder into shape, CNC machining and sintering (fusing with heat). A range of processes exist for this, including those suitable for high volumes, such as die pressing (compacting into a mould) and ceramic injection moulding (a binder is added to the powder to help it flow into the mould under pressure). Isostatic pressing is used for smaller volumes. Powder is placed into a flexible mould (membrane) and pressure is applied by liquid or gas. With cold isostatic pressing (CIP), a second sintering step is required. In the case of hot isostatic pressing (HIP), the powder is sintered as it is formed, resulting in superior mechanical properties and surface finish.

With these processes it is possible to make parts with extremely precise dimensions and very thin wall sections. Applications span aerospace, architecture, military, industrial, automotive, electrical and medical applications.

As well as bulk 3D parts, technical ceramics are applied as coatings onto metal, glass and plastic by vacuum deposition. This technique is used by many industries – tooling, solar panels, medical, lighting, consumer products, jewellery and so on – to create thin film ceramic coatings for enhanced protection, performance and colour.