Book excerpt: This is a concise, up-to-date book that covers a wide range of important ceramic materials used in modern technology. Chapters provide essential information on the nature of these key ceramic raw materials including their structure, properties, processing methods and applications in engineering and technology. Treatment is provided on materials such as alumina, aluminates, Andalusite, kyanite, and sillimanite. The chapter authors are leading experts in the field of ceramic materials. An ideal text for graduate students and practising engineers in ceramic engineering, metallurgy, and materials science and engineering.