Ceramic is better for heat conduction compared to plastic. While both materials have different thermal conductivities, ceramics generally exhibit higher thermal conductivity values. For instance, the thermal conductivity of typical ceramics ranges from 10 to 1000 W/m·K, whereas plastic thermal conductivities are typically much lower, ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 W/m·K. This significant difference in thermal conductivity is due to the atomic structure and bonding of the materials.

Ceramics have a crystalline structure with strong ionic or covalent bonds, which allow for the efficient transfer of thermal energy through lattice vibrations. This is in contrast to plastics, which are composed of long chains of polymers with weaker intermolecular forces. The molecular structure of plastics limits their ability to transfer heat effectively, resulting in lower thermal conductivity.

Data from the American Ceramic Society (ACS) supports this assertion. According to the ACS, ceramics are widely used in applications requiring high thermal conductivity, such as in the aerospace industry for heat shields and in the electronics industry for heat sinks. In these applications, the superior heat conduction properties of ceramics are crucial for maintaining optimal performance and preventing overheating.

In summary, ceramic materials are superior to plastics in terms of heat conduction due to their stronger atomic bonds and crystalline structures. This inherent property makes ceramics more suitable for applications where efficient heat transfer is essential.