Ceramic Technology is an emerging branch of Engineering/Technology dealing with the study of the properties, manufacture, design and applications of ceramic materials. The ceramic designers are concerned with designing various types of ceramic wares used in industries, households, institutions, corporate houses and other places. The use of ceramic ware can be for both decorative as well as functional purposes. Ceramic products include table and kitchenware, decorative ware like flower vase, insulators, potters, building materials like tiles, etc. Cement is also considered as one of the ceramic materials.
Ceramics is the laudatory language of a three-dimensional form of Art. It is a common denominator for many related design expressions like: pottery ,murals, montages, architectural artifacts, etc. The art of clay is as old as our ancient civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
A ceramic technologist is concerned with study, research and development of the ceramic materials, planning and developing processing systems, designing and construction of plants and machinery along with other engineers, planning and implementation of processing methodologies, designs and development of various applications like glass, porcelain, cement, refractors, insulators, composite materials, enamels, cement etc.
Syllabus :
Drawing, Basic Design, Clay Craft, History & Methods Of Ceramics, Design & Production, Art Appreciation, Surface Pattern And Screen Printing.
Eligibility & Admission :
Those who aspire to pursue bachelors program in Ceramic Technology should be 10 +2 Science with Physics, Chemistry and Maths with a high percentage of marks. Various engineering colleges offer BE, B Tech in ceramics of four years duration. The admissions are through a written test as for other branches of engineering.
Higher Studies :
Those who are interested in further education may go in for M Tech which is of one-and-a-half year duration. Research in the field can lead to a PhD degree.
Job Prospects :
An individual who aspires to make a career in Ceramic Technology is sure to find himself loaded with a wide range of job opportunities. It could be as an entrepreneur or as an employee in a large-scale ceramic ware manufacturing unit, or even in a steel refractory or as a researcher in a lab.
The opportunities for someone fresh out of college are vast both in private and public sector. In private sector, individual with a degree in Ceramic Technology can be absorbed in various ceramic ware manufacturing units located at various parts of the country. Generally, two types of workers are engaged in this industry – ceramic technologists and ceramic designers. The ceramic designers use sand and clay for basic ceramic materials while the technologists use the materials produced by complex chemical processes. One can also start his/her own business and become an entrepreneur.
Employers :
One can also get jobs in Indian Space Research Organization, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Institute for Plasma Research, among others, where there is great need for trained experts in ceramics.
Pay-Package
Salary varies with education and experience of the ceramic engineer, the location, and the type of job. A student who has just graduated can earn anywhere between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000 per month.