Ceramics in South America’S Largest Nation
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AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY bullemerginge ceramicstin & glass technology SEPTEMBER 2009 CeramicsCeramics inin SouthSouth AmericaAmerica Special Focus: BRAZIL Reprinted from American Ceramic Society Bulletin, September 2009, Vol. 88, No. 8 bulletin cover story Practical Progress in Brazil Expertise in nanotechnology and other advanced ceramics is building, but practical applications fuel ceramics in South America’s largest nation. By Alex Talavera and Randy B. Hecht Each year, we dedicate one of the issues of the Bulletin to look at the state of ceramics in impor- tant areas outside the United n May, the States. In 2008, the Bulletin explored International the world of ceramics in China because I of that nation’s enormous influence Journal of on science and industry. This year, we decided to focus on South America Applied Ceramic and, particularly, on Brazil. Technology pub- Similar to China, Brazil is another nation described as an “emerging market.” And, as lished online a in the case of China, the words emerging market paper that reveals the perhaps understate the significance that Brazil is having on South America and the world. Brazil results of a new study of is rich in raw materials; contains several developed ports within its borders; and has bioceramic/bioglass implants, a large and relatively well-educated popu- with a specific focus on materi- lation, a growing system of higher education and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities in als being tested as bone substi- fields that include steelmaking and automobile tutes used in dental implants. (See manufacturing. Other nations, such as Chile and Argentina, also page 18 an abstract of the study.) are experiencing strong economic growth, while some less-developed countries, such as Bolivia (see the August Authors Juliana Marchi, Carina S. 2009 Bulletin), possess key strategic resources and Delfino, José C. Bressiani, Ana H.A. large workforces. Those that ignore Brazil and the rest of South Bressiani and Márcia M. Marques are America do so at their own risk. all affiliated with universities in Brazil. - Peter Wray Their research was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Alex Talavera and Randy B. Hecht have collaborated on many English- Spanish bilingual research, reporting and writing projects, from National Technological Development and Geographic books to content created for a portal that covers foreign trade requirements and resources in 50 countries. They are partners in Aphra the State of São Paulo Research Communications, which maintains offices in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and in New York City. Foundation. Practical Progress in Brazil The paper is the latest example academic research in the materials cited the Universidade de São Paulo, of efforts being made in Brazil to engineering area of ceramics is “focused which has an institute dedicated to expand the scope of technological on solving industrial needs and devel- research of uses of nuclear science in capability within its ceramics industry. oping new products … If you go to the development of ceramics materi- Although most of the industry’s rev- mathematics, physics, perhaps they’re als. In addition, he mentioned the enue continues to be generated by the still trying to be at the forefront of Universidade Estadual Paulista, whose ceramic tile-making sector, Leonardo knowledge. But on the engineering chemistry department works with the Curimbaba Ferreira, president of the side, it’s focused on doing research for Universidade Federal de São Carlos to national professional group Associação solving problems or developing new develop ceramics for use in nanotech- Brasileira de Cerâmica, is monitoring materials.” This emphasis on research nology. the technology-related sectors for signs that has practical application is part of Noteworthy university research also of advancement. what makes the current atmosphere in has been conducted at the Federal “We see a lot of movement here the Brazilian ceramics sectors attrac- University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil in nanotechnology,” says tive, he adds. where a research team published a Curimbaba Ferreira. “There are some Pandolfelli also is anticipating sig- paper entitled, “Porcelain Casting Slips institutes in Brazil that are gearing up a nificant growth within the production Formulated with Waste Glass.” The lot of money in nanotechnology, which of heat-resistant and fireproof ceram- study investigated what happens when is quite new.” ics. A driving force is Brazil’s plans to waste glass is introduced into the com- “Nanotechnology and Ceramics double steel production in the next four position of a ceramic body in an indus- Products: Big Opportunities and Risks,” years. That expansion will create paral- trial slip-casting process. is the subject of a seminar being con- lel opportunities in that sector of the Collaboration among teams at ducted this month by Rafael Salomão, ceramics industry, which he says will multiple universities and institutes professor and docent of the post- experience a sharp increase in require- also is common, as was the case with graduate program in nanosciences and ments for graduating students and new the publication of, “Mixture Design advanced materials at the Universidade professionals. and Response Surface Analysis of Federal de ABC in Santo André, São That’s good news for students, Densification of Silicon Carbide Paulo. His presentation will cover such because, according to Curimbaba Ceramics with (SiO2–Dy2O3–Al2O3) topics as methods of synthesizing and Ferreira, in the current climate, many Additives.” That study was the work growing nanoparticles and nanotubes, who complete their studies in ceramics of a team whose members included as well as a variety of applications of engineering subsequently take jobs in faculty from the Centro de Ciência e the technology. better-paying fields. “Most of them do Tecnologia de Materiais at the Instituto Salomão is co-author, with Victor not stay in ceramics. They go to work de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Carlos Pandolfelli, of a paper entitled, in banks and financial institutions, the Centro de Ciências Naturais e “Polypropylene Fibers and their Effects because they pay more than most of Humanas at the Universidade Federal on Processing Refractory Castables.” the ceramic industry.” His alma mater, de ABC and the Instituto de Química, That work analyzed rheology, dynamic Universidade Federal de São Carlos, IQ Universidade Estadual de Campinas, permeability, drying and the likelihood which he estimates graduates 10–15 all located in São Paulo. of explosion of polypropylene fibers ceramic engineers each year, has a Knowledge sharing often crosses containing castables. Pandolfelli, a pro- strong curriculum in heat-resistant and borders to take advantage of the inter- fessor in the Department of Materials fireproof ceramic technologies. national knowledge base. Curimbaba Engineering at the Universidade Asked what he regards as other Ferreira says that, at this stage, Brazilian Federal de São Carlos, says Brazilian top universities for the industry, he ceramics technology development is heavily dependent on use of foreign Abstract: Cell Proliferation of Human Fibroblasts on Alumina and knowledge shared via networking with universities and institutes worldwide. Hydroxyapatite-Based Ceramics with Different Surface Treatments Foreign funding generally is not the focal point, he says, although compa- Biocompatibility is an important characteristic of dental implant material, and in-vitro tests are required to elucidate the interaction between these materials and human tissues. Cell nies from other countries have provided proliferation assays were done with fibroblasts plated on the surface of alumina- and funding or become joint venture part- hydroxyapatite-sintered samples, each with a different surface treatment (sintered, recti- ners on certain projects. However, for fied or polished). After one, two and three days, the samples were prepared for scanning the most part, Brazilian companies have electron microscopy observations. The data were compared by analysis of variance adequate domestic sources for funding. followed by Tukey’s test. It was concluded that neither the hydroxyapatite nor alumina “They look for technology from foreign substrate is cytotoxic, and hydroxyapatite is more biocompatible than alumina. partners,” he says. “They don’t look for – Juliana Marchi, Carina S. Delfino, José C. Bressiani, Ana H.A. Bressiani and Márcia M. Marques money. They look for different ways to International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technologyt improve productivity, reduce costs and be more competitive … with foreign America, products.” Europe or One area in which Brazilian prod- Asia that are ucts are competing very successfully is interested in ceramic tile. The Associação Nacional engaging in de Fabricantes de Cerâmica para international Revestimento (ANFACER), Brazil’s trade in the professional association for ceramic- region. “We tile manufacturers, promotes Brazil as have good “one of the major international players raw materials. in the ceramic-coverings market. The It’s a key for country is currently the second-largest competition,” producer and consumer, and the fifth- he says. The largest exporter in the world.” country needs Antonio Carlos Kieling, the associa- that competi- tion’s CEO, is particularly optimistic tive edge, he about the growth of porcelain tile. adds frankly, “Brazilian producers are aligned with because, at the best technology available in the this stage