电子陶瓷主要使用了陶瓷的电性能。所谓材料的电性能是由材料中电荷（包括离子、电子、空穴等）的分布及移动所决定的。如果电荷短程传输，则表现为电极子，如果电荷长程传输则表现为导电。

根据陶瓷的导电性，陶瓷可以分为介电陶瓷（主要利用电荷的短程传输性）、导体陶瓷（主要利用电荷的长程传输性）和高温超导陶瓷（库柏电子对的移动）。

Electroceramics is a class of ceramic materials used primarily for their electrical properties.

While ceramics have traditionally been admired and used for their mechanical, thermal and chemical stability, their unique electrical, optical and magnetic properties have become of increasing importance in many key technologies including communications, energy conversion and storage, electronics and automation. Such materials are now classified under electroceramics, as distinguished from other functional ceramics such as advanced structural ceramics.