Ceramics are a class of materials that are essential to our daily lifestyle and have been used by humans for thousands of years. They are inorganic, non-metallic solids made up of either metal or non-metal compounds that have been shaped and then hardened by heating to high temperatures. Ceramics are generally hard, brittle, strong in compression, and weak in shearing and tension. They are also corrosion-resistant and can withstand very high temperatures, ranging from 1,000 °C to 1,600 °C (1,800 °F to 3,000 °F) .

Ceramics are classified into two categories: traditional ceramics and advanced ceramics. Traditional ceramics include pottery, earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, and bone china. Advanced ceramics are engineered to have specific properties and are used in many areas of everyday use, from fridge magnets to an increasing range of industries, including metals production and processing, aerospace, electronics, automotive, and personnel protection. In modern medicine, advanced ceramics, often referred to as bioceramics, play an increasingly important role. Bioceramics such as alumina and zirconia are hard, chemically inert materials that can be polished to a high finish. They are used as dental implants and as bone substitutes in orthopedic operations such as hip and knee replacement.

Ceramics are generally made by taking mixtures of clay, earthen elements, powders, and water and shaping them into desired forms. Once the ceramic has been shaped, it is fired in a high-temperature oven known as a kiln. Often, ceramics are covered in decorative, waterproof, paint-like substances known as glazes. Ceramics can be found in products like watches, snow skis, automobiles, and airplanes, as well as in building materials, functional dinnerware, and decorative sculpture.

In summary, ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic solids that are shaped and then hardened by heating to high temperatures. They are hard, brittle, strong in compression, and weak in shearing and tension. Ceramics are classified into traditional and advanced ceramics, and they are used in many areas of everyday use, from building materials to advanced aerospace components.