By Aliyu DANLADI
Chief Executive Officer, EPINA Technologies Ltd, Prof. Patrick Oaikhinan, on Friday outlined four ceramic products that would change Nigeria’s economy for good.
Oaikhinan, in a statement, said that the thought of ceramics in Nigeria makes one to flash back to the thought of pottery or of fine art in China.
According to him, what many do not realise is that ceramics is used for everything, from screws to laboratory equipment.
“The ceramic industry is vast, creating products used by everyone in the world and there are some that one might not think of.
“Here are four of the more interesting ceramic products on the list to broaden your view on the wide world of ceramics as ceramics is so much more than the favourite flower vase,’’ he said.
Oaikhinan listed the four products as: Ceramic Dental Products, Jet-Engine Turbine Blades, Ballistic Protection and Biomedical Implants.
“Ceramic Dental Products, Zirconia ceramic has the proper colour, size and strength and general feel of natural teeth.
“Most of us do not know that ceramics are used in the turbine blades for jets! Ceramics are used in aircrafts because they are one-third the weight of an alloy.
“They can operate under intense heat; increase thrust due to not needing as much cooling air, reduce gas consumption and reduce the cost of electricity.
“Ceramic composites are making aircrafts more efficient, lighter, faster and even stronger.
“For Ballistic Protection, the ceramic used in body armour is alumina, and Sapphires are very strong and made of alumina.
“Our armed forces should take advantage of the new ceramic materials and designs that are improving rifle plate’s performance and comfort,’’ he said.
Oaikhinan said that over the last twenty years, there was considerable increase in the use of ceramic materials for implant devices.
He added that with an excellent combination of strength and toughness, together with bio-inert properties and low wear rates, a special type of oxide called zirconia is used for total hip replacements.
Oaikhinan said that zirconia doubles the strength of implants prompting other applications, which could benefit such as knee joints, shoulders and spinal implants.
He, however urged the public and governments to utilise raw materials available in their communities to push out their own products.
