Explores new discoveries and current challenges in the field
The Mechanical Behavior and Performance of Ceramics & Composites Symposium was held in January 2012 during the 36th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites (ICACC) in Daytona Beach, Florida. It offered researchers from around the world in academia, industry, and government the opportunity to explore new and emerging issues in all aspects of the field. Moreover, this long-standing symposium served as a forum for examining and evaluating solutions to overcome current challenges.
This issue focuses on the practical aspects of real-world engineering applications of ceramics. In addition, it deals with mechanical behaviors associated with systems ranging from diamond reinforced silicon carbide to rare earth pyrosilicates. Specific topics addressed at the symposium include:

• Composites: fibers, matrices, interfaces, and applications
• Fracture mechanics, modeling, and mechanical testing
• Nondestructive evaluation
• Processing-microstructure-properties correlations
• Tribological properties of ceramics and composites

Detailed diagrams and illustrations throughout this issue help readers grasp key mechanical behavior and performance issues. Moreover, there are references at the end of each paper to facilitate further research into each individual topic.
This issue represents one of nine CESP issues published from the 36th ICACC meeting. ICACC is the world's most prominent international meeting dedicated to advanced structural, functional, and nanoscopic ceramics, composites, and other emerging ceramic materials and technologies. ICACC has been organized each year by The American Ceramic Society and The American Ceramic Society's Engineering Ceramics Division since 1977.