Conductive Ceramics

This paper describes a representative selection of materials from the general class known as conductive ceramics. Specifically, the materials discussed are tin oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, and molybdenum disilicide. A table of some of the more pertinent physical, thermal, and electrical properties of each material is included. Some of the present applications of the materials are discussed and other uses are proposed. A graph of the specific resistivity of tin oxide vs absolute temperature is given, and a figure shows the effect of impurities on the specific resistivity of tin oxide vs absolute temperature. A discussion of the results of a preliminary investigation to determine the feasibility of electroplating various metals on the surface of tin oxide is presented.