Ceramic standards. (Focus on Abrasive Machining).

Advancements in ceramics have given many promises of further growth of superabrasive markets. But the promises have been slow in coming for lack of assurances in the long-term reliability of structural applications with ceramics. Efforts by NIST should help. Just as NIST played a critical role in improving steel in the 1920s to dramatically reduce train derailments, NIST will play important rolls in setting standards needed to give supplier and user confidence in manufacturing and testing of ceramic materials. In one role NIST has worked as a member of VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards), an international program established in 1982. NIST employees have chaired the steering committee of VAMAS, which oversees the activities of 28 Technical Working Areas (TWAs), groups whose research laid the groundwork for technical standards. Over 500 individuals from TWAs now participate in 80 round robin projects. Dr. Kristin Breder, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Higgins Grinding Technology Center, Worc ester, MA, is chairperson for TWA3, a committee concerned with tests and standards for hardness and porosity of structural ceramics. Work of the committee can be found at their dedicated website. www.ceramics.nist.gov/webbooks/vamas/vamastwa3. htm