Control of the particle-assembled structure and a novel evaluation technique for high-performance ceramics

In this article, two techniques are described that can enhance the performance of ceramics. First, magnetic field orientation, a technique used to control the particle-assembled structure before sintering, is reviewed using c-axis Si3N4 ceramics as an example. Second, nondestructive internal structure observation based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) is reviewed as a novel evaluation technique using Al2O3 ceramics as an example.