The key difference between composite resins and ceramics is that composite resins are inexpensive and have low toughness, whereas ceramics are tough and expensive.
In industrial needs, composite resins and ceramics have many different applications. They are different from each other, mainly depending on the price and cost-effectiveness.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Composite Resins
3. What are Ceramics
4. Side by Side Comparison – Composite Resins vs Ceramics in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What are Composite Resins?
Composite resins are solid materials that are formed from two or more distinct phases which are combined with each other to produce properties superior to the individual components. This term has applications in material sciences and dentistry. Usually, two distinct phases are formed from the blending of components, having different structures and properties together.
There are three major components of a composite resin: matrix, filler and coupling agent. In addition, there are some other components such as initiators and accelerators, pigments, etc. Considering the resin matrix of composite resin, it contains Bis-GMA (bisphenol-A glyceril methacrylate), UDMA (urethane dimethyacrylate), and TEGDMA (triethylene glycol dimethacrylate). If the composite resin contains only the resin matrix, then we call it an unfilled resin.
Figure 01: Dentistry
The matrix of the composite resin is the phase that undergoes polymerization to form a solid mass. It is the weakest and the least wear-resistant phase of the resin, and it can absorb water, stain and discolour as well. Moreover, by minimizing the filler content, we can get a stronger composite material. The filler particles we can use for composite resins include silica particles, quartz, and glass. When the composite resin contains both matrix and fillers, then we can name it filled resin.
What are Ceramics?
Ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic material that gets hardened at high temperatures. There are different atomic structures of this material that come in forms such as crystalline, non-crystalline or partially crystalline. However, this material often has a crystalline atomic structure.
Figure 02: Use of Ceramic in Pottery
Moreover, we can classify ceramics as traditional or advanced ceramic-based on their applications. Most of them are opaque except glass. Silica, clay, limestone, magnesia, alumina, borates, zirconia, etc., are useful as raw materials for ceramics.
Furthermore, ceramic is a shock-resistant, high strength, abrasion-resistant material. However, their electrical conductivity is poor. In addition, we can fabricate this material by forming a paste containing very fine powder of raw materials and water into a given shape and then by sintering. Due to the complex manufacturing processes, ceramic is a little more expensive than glass. Moreover, natural ceramics like stones, clay, and porcelain are also useful in day-to-day life.
What is the Difference Between Composite Resins and Ceramics?
Composite resins and ceramic are important industrial materials. Composite resins are solid materials that are formed from two or more distinct phases which are combined with each other to produce properties superior to the individual components while ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic material that gets hardened at high temperatures. The key difference between composite resins and ceramics is that composite resins are inexpensive and have low toughness, whereas ceramics are tough and expensive.
Moreover, composite resins are made of a matrix, filler and coupling agent while ceramic is made of metal oxides and metallic elements along with some inorganic elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Besides, composite resins are mainly used in material science and dentistry while ceramic is used mainly in pottery, production of bricks, tiles, cement, and glass.
Below is a summary of the difference between composite resins and ceramics in tabular form.
Summary – Composite Resins vs Ceramics
Composite resins are different from ceramics, mainly in price and applications. The key difference between composite resins and ceramics is that composite resins are inexpensive and have low toughness, whereas ceramics are tough and expensive.
Reference:
1. Bianca, Wilda. “Composite Resin.” SlideShare, 28 Feb. 2012, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Composite resin fillng 3” By Albert – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Pattern, decoration, ceramic, craft, pottery, ceramics, no people, design” (CC0) via Piqsels