EMPA - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research: (EMPA) The Labo-ratory High Performance Ceramics was established at EMPA Dübendorf as a Swiss centre of competence for ceramic materials, ceramic processing and applications. The section promotes the use of ceramic components in a wide range of technological fields and supports the Swiss indus-try in an efficient and innovative manner in using ceramics. The ceramic laboratory is well equipped for characterization and processing of ceramic powders, ceramic fibres and bulk parts as well as components. Facilities for component fabrication by dry pressing, air spraying and ex-trusion are available. Also test facilities for the electrical and electrochemical characterization of high temperature materials have been built. EMPA provides also a wide range of instrumentation for chemical and structural analysis for micro and nano-structures, spectroscopy and non-destructive testing (ultrasonic / computer tomography). The mechanical features of ceramic ma-terials, composites and fibres at temperatures up to 1650 °C are investigated with standardized and certified testing methods.