Journal Guide
Ceramics International Impact Factor 5.6: Publishing Guide
Ceramic materials: synthesis, processing, and functional applications
5.6
Impact Factor (2024)
~45-55%
Acceptance Rate
~90-120 days median
Time to First Decision
What Ceram. Int. Publishes
Ceramics International published by Elsevier is the premier journal for ceramic materials science and engineering. With JIF 5.6 and Q1 ranking in Ceramics, CI emphasizes research on ceramic synthesis, processing, properties, and applications. The journal publishes research on traditional ceramics, advanced ceramics, and functional ceramic materials. Critically: CI values materials with practical applications. Pure characterization without functional relevance is less competitive. The journal seeks papers showing how ceramic materials enable applications.
- Traditional ceramics: porcelain, stoneware, glass-ceramics, refractories
- Advanced ceramics: oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides with functional properties
- Processing: sintering, sol-gel, hydrothermal, spark plasma sintering, 3D printing
- Mechanical properties: strength, toughness, fracture mechanics, thermal shock
- Functional ceramics: bioceramics, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, electrochemical
- Thermal and optical: thermal conductivity, transparency, photocatalysis
- Composite ceramics: ceramic-ceramic, ceramic-metal, reinforced ceramics
- Nano and porous ceramics: nanoceramics, foam ceramics, zeolites
Editor Insight
“Ceramics International publishes ceramic materials with demonstrated functional advantages. We seek ceramics with superior properties, novel applications, or addressing real material challenges.”
What Ceram. Int. Editors Look For
Ceramic material with superior properties or novel functional application
Present ceramic with exceptional mechanical properties, unique functionality, or novel application. Stronger than conventional? Better functional performance? Show clear advantages with quantified metrics.
Complete characterization including mechanical and functional properties
Thoroughly characterize ceramic: microstructure (SEM, XRD), mechanical properties (strength, toughness, hardness), thermal behavior, functional properties as relevant. Comprehensive characterization essential.
Processing method controlling ceramic properties and microstructure
Show how processing controls ceramic properties. What sintering temperature? Doping effects? Particle size influence? Explain structure-property relationships.
Demonstration of functional application or device performance
Show ceramic performs in actual application. For structural: real stress testing. For functional: actual device performance. Application validation proves practical utility.
Cost-effective synthesis and practical manufacturability
Address synthesis cost and manufacturing feasibility. Use affordable precursors. Show production can scale. Cost-effective synthesis essential for adoption.
Why Papers Get Rejected
These patterns appear repeatedly in manuscripts that don't make it past Ceram. Int.'s editorial review:
Ceramic characterization without demonstrating functional advantage
Characterizing ceramic microstructure and properties alone insufficient. Show how ceramic solves real problem: better performance, novel function, or cost advantage.
Lab-scale synthesis without addressing manufacturability
Show synthesis is scalable and cost-effective. Using expensive precursors or extreme conditions limits practical utility.
Incomplete property characterization
Functional ceramics require comprehensive characterization. If claiming biocompatibility, show biocompatibility testing. If claiming thermal conductivity, measure it.
No comparison with existing ceramic alternatives
Show quantitatively how ceramic outperforms or differs from conventional ceramics. What advantages justify adoption?
Ignoring mechanical limitations or failure modes
Ceramics are brittle. Address fracture mechanics and failure behavior. Show brittleness managed through design or material composition.
Does your manuscript avoid these patterns?
The quick diagnostic reads your full manuscript against Ceram. Int.'s criteria and flags the specific issues most likely to cause rejection.
Insider Tips from Ceram. Int. Authors
Bioceramics for medical applications (bone replacement, dental) highly competitive
Biocompatible ceramics with demonstrated bioactivity or osteointegration receive strong editorial interest.
Thermal and mechanical ceramics for energy and aerospace valued
High-temperature ceramics, thermal barrier coatings, or advanced refractories have industrial relevance.
Porous and nano-ceramics with unique functionality trending
Porous structures for catalysis or ion conductors, nanoceramics with quantum effects increasingly competitive.
Sustainable and low-temperature synthesis methods gaining attention
Green processing methods using renewable materials or lower-temperature synthesis increasingly important.
Ceramic composites with improved mechanical properties valued
Composites addressing ceramic brittleness through reinforcement or toughening mechanisms increasingly prominent.
The Ceram. Int. Submission Process
Manuscript preparation
Prep5,000-8,000 words with 5-7 figures. Include ceramic synthesis and processing, complete characterization (microscopy, XRD, mechanical, functional properties), application demonstration, comparison with existing materials.
Submission via Elsevier system
Day 0Submit at https://www.editorialmanager.com/CI/. Required: manuscript emphasizing ceramic novelty and application, figures showing characterization and properties, cover letter highlighting advantages.
Editorial assessment
1-2 weeksEditor assesses ceramic novelty and application significance. Papers lacking functional demonstration or application context face lower priority. Moderate desk rejection ~20-30%.
Peer review
90-120 days2-3 ceramics experts assess novelty, characterization rigor, property claims, and application significance. First decision 90-120 days.
Revision and publication
Revision: 4-8 weeksRevisions often request additional property characterization or mechanical testing. Publication 2-4 weeks after acceptance.
Ceram. Int. by the Numbers
| 2024 Impact Factor | 5.2 |
| 5-Year Impact Factor | 5.5 |
| Acceptance rate | ~45-55% |
| Desk rejection rate | ~20-30% |
| Median first decision | ~105 days |
| Open access option | $2,800 USD |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Founded | 1987 |
Before you submit
Ceram. Int. accepts a small fraction of submissions. Make your attempt count.
The pre-submission diagnostic runs a live literature search, scores your manuscript section by section, and gives you a prioritized fix list calibrated to Ceram. Int.. ~30 minutes.
Article Types
Research Article
5,000-8,000 wordsCeramic material with complete characterization and application
Review
8,000-12,000 wordsCeramics topic review
Landmark Ceram. Int. Papers
Papers that defined fields and changed science:
- Bioactive ceramics for bone replacement (1990s+) - regenerative medicine
- Thermal barrier coatings (2000s+) - high-temperature protection
- Nanoceramics with enhanced properties (2000s+) - quantum effects
- Ceramic composites for structural applications (various) - toughness improvement
Preparing a Ceram. Int. Submission?
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Primary Fields
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