ISO/TC 206/WG 1 - Terminology/Classification

This document specifies terms and associated definitions which are typically used for fine ceramic (advanced ceramic, advanced technical ceramic) materials, products, applications, properties and processes. This document also contains those abbreviated terms which have found general acceptance in scientific and technical literature; they are given together with the corresponding full terms and definitions or descriptions. In this document, terms are defined using the term ‘fine ceramic’. The definitions apply equally to ‘advanced ceramics’ and ‘advanced technical ceramics’, which are considered to be equivalent. This document does not include terms which, though used in the field of fine ceramics, are of a more general nature and are also well known in other fields of technology. NOTE Terms and definitions of a more general nature are available in ASTM C 1145-2019, EN 14232 and JIS R 1600.

This International Standard describes a system by which fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) (see clause 3) may be classified. The system has been devised to cover all types of fine ceramics in the form of inorganic precursors for ceramic powder production, powders, granular forms, fibres, whiskers, platelets, single crystals, consolidated polycrystalline ceramics, amorphous (glassy) and composite materials and components in block, thin film and coating forms. The structure of the classification is coded to be machine readable. The classification system does not cover: elemental carbon, except for specific ceramic forms such as diamond, vitreous carbon or chemical vapour deposited (CVD) graphite; elemental silicon, elemental germanium and other elemental or compound semi-metallic substances other than when they form an integral component of or precoursor for fine ceramics; traditional ceramics based on clay, including: whitewares (e.g. tableware and fine porcelain); sanitary wares; floor and wall tiles; building ceramics (e.g. bricks and pipes); unshaped and shaped refractories for tonnage applications. This International Standard does not specifically cover hardmetal (cemented carbide) products, or products which are mainly glassy, but the system can, in principle, be extended to cover such products. Its mode of use will be determined by the objective behind its use. It is not the purpose of this International Standard to define how the system shall be used, but examples are given of how it might be used. The user is able to define the coding combination and the level of detail to suit a particular purpose. This International Standard provides only a flexible framework and a recommended international coding system within which this might be done.

ISO 20507:2014 is a vocabulary, which provides a list of terms and associated definitions typically used for fine ceramic (advanced ceramic, advanced technical ceramic) materials, products, applications, properties, and processes. This International Standard contains, in separate lists, those abbreviations which have found general acceptance in the scientific and technical literature; they are given together with the corresponding terms and definitions or descriptions. In ISO 20507:2014, the terms are defined using the term "fine ceramic". The definitions apply equally to "advanced ceramics" and "advanced technical ceramics", which are considered to be equivalent. It does not include terms which, though used in the field of fine ceramics, are of a more general nature and are also well known in other fields of technology.

ISO 20507:2003 provides a list of terms and associated definitions which are typically used for fine ceramic (advanced ceramic, advanced technical ceramic) materials, products, applications, properties and processes. ISO 20507:2003 contains, in separate lists, those abbreviations which have found general acceptance in scientific and technical literature; they are given together with the corresponding terms and definitions or descriptions. In ISO 20507:2003, the terms are defined using the words "fine ceramic". The definitions apply equally to "advanced ceramics" and "advanced technical ceramics", which are considered to be equivalent. ISO 20507:2003 does not include terms which, though used in the field of fine ceramics, are of a more general nature and are also well known in other fields of technology.