Glass Ceramic Materials in the Context of Contemporary Material Science

Growth rates of production of up-to-date technical materials of different classes are specified. The main reasons for accelerated development of new materials, including glass ceramics are considered. Principal attention is focused on capabilities and application specifics of various types of glass ceramics (heat-resistant high-strength, clear nanostructured, electrically active, bioactive, constructional) in advanced fields of contemporary engineering, industries, construction, and medicine. Properties of glass ceramics of the above types are specified.