Which combination correctly identifies typical ceramic properties and a common application?

• A. Low hardness, high ductility, high toughness; engine components.
• B. High hardness, high compressive strength, brittleness; bricks/tiles, glass, and ceramic engine components.
• C. High ductility, low stiffness, good impact resistance; textile equipment.
• D. Low fracture resistance, high thermal expansion, poor wear resistance; cookware.

Answer: (B)

Ceramics are hard and strong under compression, but they are brittle. This means they resist scratching and can bear heavy compressive loads, yet they crack easily if pulled or struck. That combination fits well with bricks and tiles and with glass, which are common ceramic materials used in construction and everyday objects. It also aligns with using ceramics in certain engine components that must withstand high temperatures and wear, where their hardness and thermal stability are advantageous.

The other options mix properties that don’t describe ceramics well. For instance, high ductility and low stiffness aren’t typical for ceramics, which tend to be stiff and not easily deformable, and the listed applications don’t match the usual strong, brittle nature of ceramic materials.