Join Us in Prayer 1  âº. Stations of the Cross In this Holy Week we reflect on Jesus' journey to Calvary. 2  Emergency Response CRS responds to emergencies around the world serving those most in need. You can help.
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid material comprising metal, nonmetal or metalloid atoms primarily held in ionic and covalent bonds. The crystallinity of ceramic materials ranges from highly oriented to semi-crystalline, and often completely amorphous (e.g., glasses). Ceramics are also more chemically resistant and can be used in wet environments where steel bearings would rust. 2  In some cases, their electricity-insulating properties may also be valuable in bearings. 3  Two drawbacks to ceramic bearings are a significantly higher cost and susceptibility to damage under shock loads.
A core is made of clay mixed with sand, to which have been added organic materials such as straw, grass, leaves or seeds. This core is mounted on a metal rod, and the glassmaker wraps it in hot semi-molten glass drawn into a thread. The glassware thus produced is decorated by the addition of glass threads of different colors, which are formed into zigzags, as here, or into garlands. Once the glass is cool, the clay core is discarded.