Engineering ceramics are a class of materials that exhibit exceptional mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties.

Here are some common engineering ceramics and their key properties:

1. **Alumina (Al2O3):**
- **Properties:**
- High hardness
- Excellent wear resistance
- High melting point
- Good electrical insulation
- Chemically inert
- **Applications:**
- Cutting tools
- Ball bearings
- Electrical insulators

2. **Zirconia (ZrO2):**
- **Properties:**
- High strength and toughness
- Excellent wear resistance
- Low thermal conductivity
- Good corrosion resistance
- Biocompatible (for certain forms)
- **Applications:**
- Bioceramic implants
- Cutting tools
- Valve components

3. **Silicon Carbide (SiC):**
- **Properties:**
- Extreme hardness
- High thermal conductivity
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Low thermal expansion
- Good electrical conductivity (in certain forms)
- **Applications:**
- Abrasive materials
- High-temperature structural components
- Electronics and semiconductors

4. **Titanium Carbide (TiC):**
- **Properties:**
- Very high hardness
- Good electrical conductivity
- High melting point
- Chemically inert
- **Applications:**
- Cutting tools
- Wear-resistant coatings

5. **Silicon nitride (Si3N4):**
- **Properties:**
- High strength and toughness
- Low thermal expansion
- Good thermal shock resistance
- Good corrosion resistance
- **Applications:**
- Ball bearings
- Turbocharger components
- Cutting tools

6. **Boron Carbide (B4C):**
- **Properties:**
- Extreme hardness
- Low density
- Excellent wear resistance
- Good neutron absorption
- **Applications:**
- Armor plates
- Abrasive applications
- Nuclear industry

7. **Steatite (MgO·SiO2):**
- **Properties:**
- Good electrical insulator
- Thermal shock resistance
- Moderate strength
- **Applications:**
- Electrical insulators
- Resistance heaters
- Kiln furniture

8. **Mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2):**
- **Properties:**
- Good thermal shock resistance
- Low thermal expansion
- Moderate strength
- **Applications:**
- Kiln furniture
- Refractory materials
- Catalyst supports

These ceramics find applications in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical due to their unique combinations of properties.

The choice of ceramic depends on specific requirements, including temperature resistance, wear resistance, and electrical properties.