Corrosion behaviour is one of the most poorly understood characteristics of ceramics. A balanced mixture of scientists from material science, metallurgy, physics, chemistry and mineralogy sum up the state of the art of measurement and modelling and reveal future research directions. The book reviews the theory of corrosion of ceramics, including the diffusion of gases and the predictions of thermodynamics; it discusses critically the kinetic models and representation tools for layer growths and material destruction. Corrosion of nitrides, carbides and oxides by simple and complex gases (O2, H2O, SO2, halides) and melts (ionic and metallic) reveal current measurement and modelling methods, advanced experimental techniques, such as laser diagnostics, TV holography, Raman spectroscopy and NDE surface methods. Frontier areas (e.g. the modelling of porous materials corrosion and protection) are revealed.
For scientists and engineers in materials science, dealing with ceramics and their application. A valuable source for research students, solid state physicists and physical chemists.

Inhalt
I. Theory of Corrosion.- Theory and Experiment in Corrosion of Advanced Ceramics.- Theoretical Aspects of the Oxidation of Silica-forming Ceramics.- Oxygen Diffusion in Silica and Corrosion of Ceramics.- Applicability of Quasi-Steady-State Solutions for the Kinetics of Diffusion Controlled Solid State Reactions.- Multiple Law Modelling for the Oxidation of Advanced Ceramics and a Model-Independent Figure-of-Merit.- Non-Parabolic Oxidation Kinetics of Advanced Ceramics.- Phase Equilibrium Relationships and the Liquid Phase Assisted Oxidative Corrosion of Silicon Nitride.- II. Corrosion by Hot Gases.- Hot Gas Corrosion of Structural Ceramics.- The Oxidation Process in Silicon Nitride.- Oxidation Behaviour of Nitrides and Borides as Monolithic and Composite Ceramics.- Corrosion and Fretting Damage of Non-Oxide Ceramics in Presence of Water Vapour.- Discontinuous Phase Formation and Selective Attack of SiC Materials Exposed to Low Oxygen Partial Pressure Environments.- Active to Passive Transition in the High-Temperature Oxidation of CVD SiC and Si3Nin.- Factors Limiting the Application of Silicon Nitride Ceramics in Sulphur-Containing Environments of Low Oxygen Potential at High Temperatures.- Oxidation of Silicon Based Ceramics in the Presence of Alkali Halides.- III. Corrosion by Melts.- Molten Salt Corrosion of Ceramics.- Hot Corrosion the Experience From Metals and Intermetallics.- Hot Corrosion of Oxide Ceramics.- Burner-Rig Hot-Salt Corrosion of Si3N4 in the Temperature Range 800°C to 1300°C.- Corrosion of Ceramics by Liquid Metals.- Attempting to Predict the High Temperature Corrosion of Oxide Ceramics by Molten Silicates.- Corrosion of Ceramics in Special Gas Atmospheres.- IV. Advanced Experimental Techniques and the Protection of Ceramics.- High TemperatureOxidation of Porous Non-Oxide Ceramics: Recent Advances in Modelling and Protection by Coatings.- Porous Media and the Use of Thermobalances: The Kinetics of Combustion Processes.- Evaluation of Oxygen Tracer Diffusion Profiles in Two-Stage Oxidation Experiments.- TV-Holography at High Temperatures: In-situ Observations of the Oxidation of Advanced Materials.- Vaporization Behavior of Non-Stoichiometric Refractory Carbide Materials Direct Observations of the Vapor Phase Using Laser Diagnostics.- Thermal Loading and Corrosion of Ceramics by Light Irradiation.- Micro-Raman Spectroscopy for Phase Identification and Stress Measurement in Advanced Ceramics.- Non-destructive Evaluation of Ceramics.- Advanced Surface Techniques for the Investigation of Corrosion Problems.- V. Corrosion and Properties.- Microstructural Design of Si3N4 and SiAlON Ceramics in Relation To Combined Mechanical and Environmental Behaviour.- Effect of Oxidation on Creep of Silicon-Nitride Based Ceramics.- Influence of Oxidation on Long Term Reliability of Silicon Nitride.