Cermet - Definition and Overview

A Cermet is a composite material composed of ceramic (cer) and metallic (met) materials. The metal is used as a binder for an oxide, boride, carbide, or alumina. Generally, the metallic elements used are nickel, molybdenum, and cobalt. Depending on the physical structure of the material, cermets can also be metal matrix composites, but cermets are usually less than 20% metal by volume.

It is used in the manufacture of resistors (especially potentiometers), capacitors, and other electronic components which may experience high temperatures.