Advanced ceramic materials are a mature technology with a very broad base of current and potential applications and a growing list of material compositions.  Advanced ceramics are inorganic, nonmetallic materials with combinations of fine–scale microstructures, purity, complex compositions and crystal structures, and accurately controlled additives.  Such materials require a level of processing science and engineering far beyond that used in making conventional ceramics.  These new generations of high–performance materials have already reached a U.S. market of several billion dollars.  Collectively, they represent an enabling technology whose continued development is critical to advances in a host of new high–technology applications, ranging from modern microelectronics to superconductors and nanotechnology.

The outstanding properties possessed by advanced ceramics are achieved through special compositions and microstructures that require very careful control throughout the successive stages of ceramic processing.  These stages are: powder synthesis, powder sizing, rheology control, consolidation and forming processes, sintering, final machining, and inspection.

Ceramic powder is a necessary ingredient for most of the structural ceramics, electronic ceramics, ceramic coatings, and chemical processing and environmental related ceramics.  For most advanced ceramic components, starting powder is a crucial factor.  The performance characteristics of a ceramic component are greatly influenced by precursor powder characteristics.  Among the most important are the powder’s chemical purity, particle size distribution, and the manner in which the powders are packed in the green body before sintering.

Powders of narrow size distribution can be compacted into ordered arrays and, when in the submicron region, these powders are sintered at reduced temperatures.  Consequently, in the processing of advanced ceramics, there is a growing need to develop synthetic techniques capable of producing submicron, chemically pure powders with a tailored size distribution.  However, the cost is again the factor since the new synthetic processing techniques are comparatively more expensive than the currently established powder manufacturing methods.

Nanoceramic powders constitute an important segment of the whole nanostructured materials market.  These powders are used in an array of applications from microelectronics, optical, chemical, environmental, and magnetic recording.

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Researchers published the first report on this subject, entitled Advanced Ceramic Powders, in 1994.  Since then, many new developments have occurred, especially in the availability of large quantities of nanoceramic powders, as well as the increased usage of these powders.

Researchers have updated the original report several times in order to reflect timely developments in advanced and nanoceramic powders.  The present report is the sixth updated edition of the 1994 study.  Its objectives are to:

• Provide an overview of the various advanced ceramic and nanosized ceramic powders, their production technologies, and applications
• Identify the technological and business issues related to the commercial production and use of advanced ceramic and nanosized ceramic powders
• Determine the current size and future growth of the markets for oxide, carbide, nitride, and boride ceramic powders
• Determine the current size and future growth of the markets for nanosized ceramic powders
• Identify and profile suppliers of advanced ceramic and nanosized ceramic powders to the U.S. market
• Identify major user industries of advanced ceramic and nanosized ceramic powders
• Identify major issues related to the production and commercialization of advanced ceramic and nanosized ceramic powders

CONTRIBUTIONS Of THE STUDY

The technical and economic study covers the material types, synthesis techniques, production methods, current and emerging applications, suppliers, and trends in consumption of the various types of advanced ceramic and nanosized ceramic powders.  Current size and future growth of the markets are estimated for the period 2010 through 2016.  The report profiles commercially significant suppliers of advanced ceramic and nanosized ceramic powders to the U.S. market.

In particular, the term nanotechnology is used today to describe a wide range of new technologies and materials, not all of which are actually nanoscale.  Some manufacturers have tacked the prefix “nano” onto their products and processes, whether or not they deal in nano–sized elements, in an attempt to boost customer or investor interest.   Such hype inevitably carries with it the risk of a backlash, because it can create unrealistic expectations for nanotechnology.  This report takes a realistic look at the nanoceramics field and tries to provide a road map to the technologies and applications that show the greatest commercial promise over the next 5 years.

SCOPE OF REPORTS

For each ceramic powder type, the report provides an analysis of material types in that category, processing technologies, properties, applications, suppliers, prices, and U.S. markets.

A technology review has been conducted on the current and emerging ceramic powder production technologies, such as carbothermal reduction, vapor–phase reaction, plasma processes, sol–gel techniques, and chemical techniques (including precipitation, hydrothermal process, emulsion process, laser synthesis, and self–propagating high–temperature synthesis [SHS]).  Nanosized powders have been treated in a separate chapter since many nanosized powder synthesis technologies are common to different ceramic powders.

The qualitative and quantitative judgments embodied in this report are a valuable contribution to the current knowledge of advanced and nanosized ceramic powders, their processing techniques, applications, and markets.  They should be useful to companies that are facing decisions about their strategies for expansion or entering new areas of business.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The findings of this report are based on information derived from interviews with many producers and potential producers of advanced ceramic powders and nanosized ceramic powders, industry experts, and those conducting research and development.  In addition, many end users were contacted to evaluate the current and future demand for these materials.  Secondary data were obtained from trade publications, technical journals, government statistics, and analyst databases.

With 2010 as a baseline, projections for each market segment were developed for 2011 through 2016.  The projections are based on a combination of a consensus among the primary contacts combined with researchers' understanding of the key market drivers and their impact from a historical and analytical perspective.

Unless otherwise noted, all dollar projections presented in this report are in 2010 constant dollars.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This report is directed to the various types of companies that are interested in the developments of this field.  These include:

• Companies involved in the development, manufacturing, and supplying of advanced materials.
• Manufacturers and suppliers of advanced ceramic raw materials.
• Manufacturers and suppliers of advanced ceramic powders.
• Companies involved in R&D and commercialization of nanosized ceramic powders.
• Companies involved in the development and manufacture of advanced ceramic components.
• Engine component manufacturers.
• Cutting tool insert manufacturers.
• Manufacturers of integrated circuits, piezoelectric elements, capacitors, ferrite magnets and magnetic cores, and superconductor wires.
• Suppliers and users of thermal spray powders.
• Manufacturers of wear parts and OEM suppliers.
• Manufacturers of ceramic catalysts, catalyst supports, and auto catalytic converters.
• Manufacturers of ceramic membranes and filters.
• Producers and users of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) slurries.
• Producers of magnetic recording media.
• Producers of sunscreens.
• Chemical companies interested in diversification.
• Venture capital companies and financial institutions interested in new, attractive investments and acquisitions.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

• The U.S. consumed more than $3.1 billion worth of advanced and nanoscale ceramic powders in 2010. Consumption is projected to increase to nearly $3.4 billion in 2011 and $5.4 billion in 2016, a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% between 2011 and 2016.
• Advanced ceramic powders account for the bulk of the market (i.e. 83% in 2010), with sales of $2.5 billion in 2010, increasing to $4 billion by 2016, for a CAGR of 8.3%.
• Nanoscale powders are expected to increase their market share steadily, reaching a 24% market share by 2016. Its market was worth $528 million in 2010. This should increase at a CAGR of 16.4% to reach $1.2 billion in 2016.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION  
INTRODUCTION  1
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES  2
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STUDY 2
SCOPE OF REPORT  3
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES  3
INTENDED AUDIENCE  4
ANALYST CREDENTIALS  4
DISCLAIMER  6

CHAPTER TWO: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SUMMARY TABLE U.S. CONSUMPTION OF ADVANCED AND
NANOSCALE CERAMIC POWDERS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION
LBS/$ MILLIONS)  7
SUMMARY FIGURE U.S. CONSUMPTION OF ADVANCED AND
NANOSIZED CERAMIC POWDERS, 2010-2016 (% OF TOTAL
VALUE CONSUMED) . 8

CHAPTER THREE: OVERVIEW OF ADVANCED CERAMIC POWDERS
POWDER TYPES  9
TABLE 1 COMMONLY USED ADVANCED CERAMIC MATERIAL
FAMILIES  10
POWDER SYNTHESIS TECHNIQUES  10
CARBOTHERMAL REDUCTION . 11
TABLE 2 PROCESS STEPS TO PRODUCE ß–SIC VIA
CARBOTHERMAL REDUCTION  11
VAPOR–PHASE REACTIONS  11
Thermal Decomposition . 11
CVD Process . 12
FIGURE 1 SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF THERMAL REACTOR SYSTEM
FOR PRODUCING CERAMIC POWDERS BY CVD . 12
PLASMA PROCESSES  13
TABLE 3 PLASMA SYNTHESIS OF CERAMIC POWDERS . 13
TABLE 3 (CONTINUED)  14
DC Arc Plasma Process . 14
FIGURE 2 SCHEMATIC OF A DC ARC PLASMA FURNACE
DEVELOPED BY JAPAN’S NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
FOR METALS  15
RF Plasma Process  15
FIGURE 3 LOS ALAMOS RF PLASMA REACTOR  16
Plasma Rapid Solidification Technology  16
Reactive Electrode Submerged Arc . 17
SOL–GEL TECHNIQUES . 18
Alkoxide Route . 18
Internal Gelation . 18
PRECIPITATION . 19
HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS  20
EMULSION PROCESS  21
FIGURE 4 PROCESS FLOWCHART FOR EMULSION PROCESS TO
PRODUCE BARIUM TITANATE . 22
LASER SYNTHESIS  23
COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS/SELF–PROPAGATING HIGH–
TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIS  23
COMBINATORIALLY DISCOVERED MATERIALS  24
POWDER SYNTHESIS COMPARISON . 25
TABLE 4 POWDER SYNTHESIS COMPARISON  25
TABLE 4 (CONTINUED)  26
TABLE 5 POWDER PROCESSES FOR VARIOUS CERAMIC
MATERIALS  27
MATERIAL APPLICATIONS AND PROPERTIES  28
STRUCTURAL CERAMICS  28
ELECTRONIC CERAMICS . 28
CERAMIC COATINGS  28
TABLE 6 CURRENT AND POTENTIAL USES FOR ADVANCED
CERAMICS  29
TABLE 6 (CONTINUED)  30
ADVANCED STRUCTURAL CERAMICS  30
TABLE 7 CURRENT AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF
ADVANCED STRUCTURAL CERAMICS . 31
Monolithic Structural Ceramics  32
TABLE 8 PROPERTIES OF COMMERCIAL ALUMINA
SPECIFICATIONS  32
TABLE 9 PROPERTIES OF NORZIDE YZ–110 TETRAGONAL
ZIRCONIA POLYCRYSTALS (TZP)  33
TABLE 10 FRACTURE TOUGHNESS AND CRITICAL FLAW SIZES OF
MONOLITHIC AND COMPOSITE CERAMICS MATERIALSA  34
TABLE 11 PROPERTIES OF MONOLITHIC CERAMICS AND
CERAMIC COMPOSITES . 35
TABLE 12 THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF VARIOUS ZIRCONIAS . 36
Ceramic Matrix Composites  36
CERAMIC COATINGS  36
TABLE 13 HIGH–PERFORMANCE CERAMIC COATING MATERIALS
AND GENERAL APPLICATIONS  37
TABLE 14 REPRESENTATIVE FLAME AND PLASMA SPRAYED
MATERIALS, MELTING OR SOFTENING TEMPERATURE, AND
USES  37
TABLE 14 (CONTINUED)  38
ELECTRONIC CERAMICS . 39
Insulators . 39
TABLE 15 CERAMIC INSULATORS AND THEIR PROPERTIES . 40
Substrates, IC Packages, and Multichip Modules . 40
TABLE 16 CERAMIC SUBSTRATE PROPERTIES . 41
TABLE 17 CANDIDATE CERAMIC SUBSTRATE MATERIALS FOR
ELECTRONICS . 42
Capacitors  42
TABLE 18 DIELECTRIC MATERIAL FOR MULTILAYER CERAMIC
CAPACITOR (BARIUM TITANATE–BASED CERAMIC)  43
Piezoelectric Ceramics . 44
Advanced Batteries and Fuel Cells . 44
Magnetic Ferrites  45
Superconductors  46
CHEMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED CERAMICS  47
Ceramic Membranes and Filters  47
Catalysts and Catalytic Supports . 48
OTHER TECHNICAL ISSUES . 49
Particle Size . 49
Particle Size (Continued)  50
Rheology Control . 50
Uniformity  51
Other Material Properties . 51
END–USER INDUSTRIES  52
COMPANIES  52
FIGURE 5 CERAMIC POWDER END–USER INDUSTRIES (%)  52
OUTPUT . 53
TABLE 19 U.S. MARKETS FOR ADVANCED CERAMIC
COMPONENTS, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS)  53
OVERALL U.S. MARKET FOR ADVANCED AND NANOSCALE
CERAMIC POWDERS  54
TABLE 20 U.S. MARKETS FOR ADVANCED AND NANOSCALE
CERAMIC POWDERS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS/$
MILLIONS)  54
FIGURE 6 U.S. MARKET FOR ADVANCED AND NANOSCALE
CERAMIC POWDERS BY TYPE OF POWDER, THROUGH 2016 (%
OF TOTAL CONSUMPTION BY VALUE) . 55
FIGURE 6 (CONTINUED)  56
FIGURE 7 U.S. MARKET FOR ADVANCED AND NANOSCALE
CERAMIC POWDERS BY TYPE OF END–USE, THROUGH 2016 (%
OF TOTAL CONSUMPTION BY VALUE) . 56
FIGURE 7 (CONTINUED)  57

CHAPTER FOUR: OXIDE POWDERS
SUMMARY  58
MATERIAL TYPES  58
ALUMINA  58
ZIRCONIA  59
FERRITES  59
TITANATES . 59
BERYLLIA  59
MIXED COMPLEX OXIDES . 59
SYNTHESIS AND POWDER PREPARATION . 60
ALUMINA  60
FIGURE 8 COMPARISON OF THE CONVENTIONAL SLURRY
PROCESS FOR ß– AL2O3 PRODUCTION WITH THAT USING
SOLUBLE ALKALI ADDITIVES  61
ZIRCONIA  62
Chemical Zirconia  62
Chlorination and Thermal Decomposition . 62
Alkali Oxide Decomposition . 62
Lime Diffusion . 63
Plasma Zirconia . 63
FIGURE 9 SCHEMATIC FOR PRODUCTION OF PLASMA
DISSOCIATED ZIRCONIA . 64
Partially and Fully Stabilized Zirconia Powders . 64
Hydrothermal Method for High–Purity Zirconia . 65
FERRITES  65
FIGURE 10 FLOW DIAGRAM OF A SPRAY ROASTER OF THE TYPE
USED IN COMMERCIAL FERRITE POWDER PRODUCTION . 65
TITANATES . 66
TABLE 21 STEPS TO SYNTHESIZE BATIO3  66
SUPERCONDUCTOR POWDERS  67
PROPERTIES . 67
APPLICATIONS . 68
SUPPLIERS  68
TABLE 22 MAJOR U.S. SUPPLIERS OF ADVANCED OXIDE CERAMIC
POWDERS AND PRODUCTS  69
MARKETS . 70
ALUMINA  70
Prices  71
Sub–Segments . 71
Electronics . 71
TABLE 23 U.S. MARKETS FOR CERAMIC SUBSTRATES,
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS, INSULATORS AND MCMS, THROUGH
2016 ($ MILLIONS)  71
TABLE 24 ALUMINA POWDER CONSUMPTION FOR ELECTRONIC
APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS/ $ MILLIONS) . 72
Structural  72
TABLE 25 U.S. MARKETS FOR ALUMINA POWDERS FOR
STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS/$
MILLIONS)  73
Thermal Spray  73
TABLE 26 U.S. MARKETS FOR ALUMINA POWDERS FOR THERMAL
SPRAY APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016  74
Chemical Processing and Environment–Related  74
- Membranes . 74
TABLE 27 U.S. MARKETS FOR OXIDE POWDERS FOR MEMBRANE
APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLIONS LBS/$ MILLIONS)  75
- Filters  75
TABLE 28 U.S. MARKETS FOR OXIDE POWDERS FOR CERAMIC
FILTERS THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS /$ MILLIONS) . 75
- Catalyst Supports . 76
TABLE 29 U.S. MARKETS FOR OXIDE POWDERS FOR CHEMICAL
PROCESSING CATALYST SUPPORTS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION
LBS/$ MILLIONS)  76
Combined Chemical Processing and Environmental
Market  76
TABLE 30 U.S. MARKETS FOR ALUMINA POWDERS FOR CHEMICAL
PROCESSING APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 016 (MILLION LB /$
MILLIONS)  77
Combined Alumina Markets  77
TABLE 31 U.S. MARKETS FOR ALUMINA POWDERS FOR
ADVANCED CERAMIC APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION
LBS/$ MILLIONS)  78
BERYLLIA  78
Prices  78
U.S. Markets  78
TABLE 32 BERYLLIA POWDER CONSUMPTION FOR
ELECTROCERAMIC APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION
LBS /$ MILLION )  79
ZIRCONIA  79
Prices  80
Markets  80
TABLE 33 U.S. MARKETS FOR ZIRCONIA POWDERS FOR
ADVANCED CERAMIC APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION
LBS/$ MILLIONS)  81
TITANIA AND TITANATES . 81
Prices  81
Markets  82
TABLE 34 U.S. MARKETS FOR CERAMIC CAPACITORS AND
BARIUM TITANATE POWDERS, THROUGH 2016 ($
MILLION/MILLION LBS) . 82
TABLE 35 U.S. MARKET FOR PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMIC
ELEMENTS AND LEAD ZIRCONATE TITANATE POWDERS,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLION/MILLION LBS)  83
TABLE 36 TITANATE POWDER CONSUMPTION FOR ADVANCED
CERAMIC APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS/$
MILLIONS)  83
FERRITES  83
Prices  84
Markets  84
TABLE 37 MARKET FOR CERAMIC PERMANENT MAGNETS,
THROUGH 2016  85
TABLE 38 U.S. SOFT FERRITES MARKETS, THROUGH 2016
(MILLION LBS/$ MILLIONS) . 85
TABLE 39 U.S. CONSUMPTION OF HARD AND SOFT FERRITES,
THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS / $ MILLIONS) . 86
SILICA  86
Prices  86
Markets  86
TABLE 40 U.S. CONSUMPTION OF SILICA POWDER FOR CATALYST
SUPPORTS THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS/$ MILLIONS)  87
MIXED OXIDES . 87
Prices  87
Markets  88
TABLE 41 MIXED OXIDE POWDER CONSUMPTION FOR ADVANCED
CERAMIC APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS/$
MILLIONS)  88
OVERALL OXIDE MARKETS  88
TABLE 42 U.S. MARKETS FOR OXIDE CERAMIC POWDERS, 2010
THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS/$ MILLIONS) . 89

CHAPTER FIVE: CARBIDE POWDERS
MATERIAL TYPES  90
SYNTHESIS AND POWDER PREPARATION . 90
ACHESON PROCESS FOR SILICON CARBIDE  90
THERMAX PROCESS . 91
FIGURE 11 PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM FOR A TUNGSTEN CARBIDE
FACILITY . 92
ELECTRIC ARC PROCESS FOR BORON CARBIDE . 93
SOL–GEL TECHNIQUE . 93
POLYMER PYROLYSIS  93
GAS–PHASE PROCESS  94
NIST PROCESS . 95
PRODUCTION OF POWDERS FOR ADVANCED CERAMICS . 96
PROPERTIES . 96
APPLICATIONS . 96
APPLICATIONS (CONTINUED)  97
SUPPLIERS  98
TABLE 43 MAJOR U.S. SUPPLIERS OF CARBIDE POWDERS FOR
ADVANCED CERAMICS APPLICATIONS . 98
MARKETS . 98
PRICES . 99
MARKETS  99
TABLE 44 U.S. MARKETS FOR CARBIDE POWDERS FOR ADVANCED
CERAMIC APPLICATIONS, 2010 THROUGH 2016(MILLION LBS / $
MILLIONS)  100

CHAPTER SIX: NITRIDE POWDERS
MATERIAL TYPES  101
SYNTHESIS AND POWDER PREPARATION . 101
DIRECT NITRIDATION  101
CARBOTHERMAL REDUCTION . 102
PYROLYSIS  103
GAS–PHASE REACTIONS . 103
SOL–GEL TECHNIQUES . 104
LASER OR MICROWAVE SYNTHESIS  104
PROPERTIES . 104
APPLICATIONS . 105
SUPPLIERS  106
TABLE 45 MAJOR U.S. SUPPLIERS OF NITRIDE POWDERS FOR
ADVANCED CERAMICS APPLICATIONS . 106
MARKETS . 107
SILICON NITRIDE  107
Prices  107
Markets  107
TABLE 46 U.S. MARKETS FOR SILICON NITRIDE POWDERS FOR
ADVANCED CERAMIC APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION
LBS/$ MILLIONS)  108
ALUMINUM NITRIDE  108
Prices  108
Markets  108
TABLE 47 U.S. MARKETS FOR ALUMINUM NITRIDE POWDERS,
THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS/$ MILLIONS) . 109
BORON NITRIDE  109
Prices  110
Markets  110
TABLE 48 U.S. MARKETS FOR BORON NITRIDE POWDERS FOR
ADVANCED CERAMIC APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION
LBS/$ MILLION)  110
OVERALL NITRIDE MARKETS  110
TABLE 49 U.S. MARKETS FOR NITRIDE POWDERS FOR ADVANCED
CERAMIC APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016 (MILLION LBS/$
MILLION). 111
CHAPTER SEVEN: BORIDE POWDERS
MATERIAL TYPES  112
SYNTHESIS AND POWDER PREPARATION . 113
PROPERTIES . 113
APPLICATIONS . 114
TITANIUM DIBORIDE . 114
ZIRCONIUM DIBORIDE  114
SUPPLIERS  115
MARKETS . 115
PRICES . 115
CONSUMPTION  115
TABLE 50 U.S. MARKETS FOR TITANIUM DIBORIDE POWDERS
FOR ADVANCED CERAMIC APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016
(MILLION LBS/$ MILLION) . 116

CHAPTER EIGHT: NANOSCALE CERAMIC POWDERS
MATERIAL TYPES  117
PROPERTIES . 118
TABLE 51 SURFACE AREA OF SELECTED OXIDE POWDERS . 119
FABRICATION OF NANOPOWDERS  120
GAS–PHASE PROCESSING . 120
Gas–Phase Condensation  120
High Frequency Plasma–Chemical Process . 121
Combustion Synthesis . 121
Electroexplosion . 122
Combustion Synthesis . 122
FIGURE 12 SCHEMATIC OF PSI TECHNOLOGIES’ CONTINUOUS
PROCESS FOR NANOSCALE POWDER SYNTHESIS . 123
WET PHASE PROCESSING . 123
Conventional Chemical Precipitation . 124
Hydrothermal Processing  124
Sol–Gel Processing  125
FIGURE 13 SOL–GEL SYNTHESIS FLOW CHART  125
Electric Dispersion Reaction . 126
Thermochemical Synthesis . 126
Microfluidizer Process . 126
Microfluidizer Process (Continued)  127
Microemulsion Technology  128
MECHANICAL PROCESSING . 129
High–Energy Mechanical Milling . 129
Mechanochemical Synthesis . 130
APPLICATIONS . 130
TABLE 52 POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
OF NANOCERAMIC POWDERS  130
TABLE 52 (CONTINUED) . 131
TABLE 52 (CONTINUED)  132
CERAMIC FILTERS  132
SUPERPLASTIC CERAMICS . 133
LOW PROCESSING TEMPERATURE COMPONENTS . 133
OPTICAL/ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC . 133
CERAMIC–CERAMIC JOINING  134
STRUCTURAL CERAMICS APPLICATIONS . 134
CATALYSTS AND CATALYST SUPPORTS  134
FERROFLUIDS  134
SUNSCREENS . 135
ADVANCED COATINGS . 135
SUPPLIERS  135
TABLE 53 SUPPLIERS OF NANOCERAMIC POWDERS AND
PRODUCTS  135
TABLE 53 (CONTINUED)  136
PRODUCTS AND CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION  137
MARKET LEADERS  138
MARKETS . 138
TABLE 54 U.S. MARKETS FOR CERAMIC NANOPOWDERS BY
APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS TYPES, THROUGH 2016 ($
MILLION). 139
FIGURE 14 CERAMIC NANOPOWDER MARKET SEGENTS, 2010-2016
(%) . 140
MARKETS (CONTINUED) . 141
APPENDIX  142
PROFILES OF NORTH AMERICAN COMPANIES AND
INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN CERAMIC AND NANOCERAMIC
POWDERS . 142
ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS LLC  142
ALMATIS GMBH . 143
ALUCHEM INC.  143
ALUMINUM CO. OF AMERICA (ALCOA)  143
AREMCO PRODUCTS . 144
ARGONIDE CORP.  144
BAIKOWSKI INTERNATIONAL CORP. . 144
BASF AG.  145
BAYER AG.  145
CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORP. . 145
CATHAY MAGNETICS . 146
CE MINERALS  146
CERALOX DIVISION/SASOL NORTH AMERICA, INC.  146
CHEMAT TECHNOLOGY INC.  147
COORSTEK  147
COTRONICS CORP.  148
DA NANOMATERIALS LLC . 148
E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO.  148
ELECTRO ABRASIVES CORP.  148
ELKEM SILICON MATERIALS . 149
EUTECTIC CORP. . 149
FERRO CORPORATION . 149
FERROTEC CORP.  150
FUJIMI CORP. . 151
GELEST, INC.  151
GFS CHEMICALS, INC.  151
HERMAN C. STARCK, INC. . 152
HOOSIER MAGNETICS, INC. . 152
INFRAMAT CORP.  152
ISHIHARA SANGYO KAISHA, LTD. . 153
MACH I, INC. . 153
M/A–COM TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS  153
MATERION CORP.  154
MEL CHEMICALS . 154
MARKINTER CO.  154
MATERIALS MODIFICATION, INC. . 154
MCP METAL SPECIALTIES  155
MER CORP.  155
MICRO ABRASIVES CORP. . 156
MILLENNIUM MATERIAL INC. . 157
MOMENTIVE PERFORMANCE MATERIALS, INC. . 157
MOYCO PRECISION ABRASIVES, INC.  157
MUSCLE SHOALS MINERALS . 158
NANOCEROX  158
NANOCRYSTALS TECHNOLOGY LTD. . 159
NANOPHASE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. . 159
NEI CORP. . 160
NANOSCALE MATERIALS, INC.  160
NEXTECH MATERIALS, LTD.  161
NYACOL NANO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. . 161
ORTHOVITA CORP.  162
PERFORMANCE CERAMICS CO. . 162
PLANAR SOLUTIONS LLC  162
POWDER PROCESSING AND TECHONOLOGY . 163
PQ CORP. . 163
PRAXAIR SPECIALTY CERAMICS, INC. . 164
PRAXAIR SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.  164
PRIMET LLC  165
R.T. VANDERBILT COMPANY, INC.  165
READE ADVANCED MATERIALS  165
RHODIA, INC.  166
RIO TINTO ALCAN . 166
SAINT GOBAIN CERAMIC MATERIALS . 166
SASOL NORTH AMERICA . 167
SOLVAY FLUORIDES  167
STREM CHEMICALS  168
SULZER METCO (U.S.), INC. . 168
SCI ENGINEEERED MATERIALS, INC.  168
SUPERIOR GRAPHITE CO. . 169
SUPERIOR MICRO POWDERS  169
TOSOH USA . 169
TRS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.  169
UBE AMERICA, INC.  170
UK ABRASIVES, INC. . 170
UMICORE USA  170
UNIMIN CORP. . 171
U.S. PRODUCTS CO. . 171
WACKER CHEMICALS CORP.  171
WAH CHANG . 171
WASHINGTON MILLS ELECTRO MINERALS CORP. . 172
ZIRCOA, INC. . 172
ZYP COATINGS, INC. . 173
Z–TECH CORPORATION . 173