Ceramics is a category of materials that includes aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, silicon carbide, titanium oxide and many others. The high melting point and low thermal conductivity of ceramics made them ideal for applications where thermal insulation is needed. In addition, they tend to be very hard and can provide wear resistance. They can also be very stable in typical outdoor environments making them attractive for use in structures designed to last a long time. Though ceramics are usually brittle, they are very strong in compression making them good for buildings and bridges. Check out these videos which are focused on ceramics.