In the last 30 years, several advances in the understanding of ceramic chemistry have allowed ceramics to be developed that exhibit significant improvements in fracture toughness, ductility and impact resistance. This has enabled many techniques and applications previously limited to metals to be extended to ceramics. This new class is generally referred to as advanced ceramics. This book provides an excellent overview of advanced ceramic materials, and the preparation and application of those materials. With content incorporating both basic underlying principles, and the real-life applications recently found for advanced ceramics, this resource is a handy desktop reference for the practicing researcher, as well as a text for upper level undergraduate and graduate students in ceramics processing.