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molecular modelling for ceramics

updated wed 24 mar 04

 

daniel on sun 21 mar 04


Hi All,

Struggling with Kingery et al (Intro. to Ceramics. I'd hate to see his
advanced text :)) chapter ... well 2 :(

I was hoping to find a model of silicate structures either physical or
software that would apply to clays, glasses and glazes. I've done a bit of
geometry one way and another but it would really help if there were a
program out there that would allow me to see a reasonable size sheet of
kaolinite (in molecular form) in some sort of graphic 3D (or in a ball/stick
model physically). I have had a wander around on the web for this and can
see a bunch of models (physical ones) which can be pricy but I don't really
know what I'm looking for. It seems that you can get models of certain
structures but not a "Silicates Modelling Kit for Ceramists". In the
software space its even more complicated.

So I'm looking for pointers from the chemists and any others who've been
down this road before me. Any recommendations on models. If its software I'd
prefer Mac and cheap/free/demos if possible but at this point I'll take any
hints at all.

Thanx
Daniel

Ivor and Olive Lewis on mon 22 mar 04


Dear Daniel,
If you wish to upgrade to something more recent try "Fundamentals of
Ceramics" by David Barsoum
Life was not meant to be easy.
You need to get into the soil sciences for adequate illustrations and
models. I suggest starting with
www.soilswisc.edu/virtual/museum/kaolinite/kaolinite-tx.html
You can fiddle with the image
An alternative is to do what I do. Use your graphics program to draw
the nets for the octahedron and tetrahedron with the same edge length
or if you wish to be precise then to scale and make a lot of these.
Then you can assemble your own models.
Yes. Software is out there if you have the dollars or access to a good
university library.
Very little good information is to be had through reading in the
ceramic arts. You have to go to the industrial scene or soil.
Have fun during your quest.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia

Ron Roy on tue 23 mar 04


Hi Daniel,

If you ever find one - I have often thought about this - actually tried one
many years ago. It was interesting to be able to rotate the models and see
them in their 3D forms.

If you ever find one that can do it for ceramics I would like to try it.

RR


> Struggling with Kingery et al (Intro. to Ceramics. I'd hate to see his
>advanced text :)) chapter ... well 2 :(
>
> I was hoping to find a model of silicate structures either physical or
>software that would apply to clays, glasses and glazes. I've done a bit of
>geometry one way and another but it would really help if there were a
>program out there that would allow me to see a reasonable size sheet of
>kaolinite (in molecular form) in some sort of graphic 3D (or in a ball/stick
>model physically). I have had a wander around on the web for this and can
>see a bunch of models (physical ones) which can be pricy but I don't really
>know what I'm looking for. It seems that you can get models of certain
>structures but not a "Silicates Modelling Kit for Ceramists". In the
>software space its even more complicated.
>
> So I'm looking for pointers from the chemists and any others who've been
>down this road before me. Any recommendations on models. If its software I'd
>prefer Mac and cheap/free/demos if possible but at this point I'll take any
>hints at all.
>Thanx
>Daniel

Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513