The aim of SFB 483 "High performance sliding and friction systems based on advanced ceramics" (financial funding by the German Research Foundation DFG from 2000 to 2011) was the development of the tools necessary for the successful application of engineering ceramics under high tribological and mechanical loads using a scientific approach. The interdisciplinary research in engineering design, materials development, modelling and tribology resulted in the development of new innovative concepts for the technical application of engineering ceramics. The prototypical realization of technical components and demonstrator systems wass used to prove the applicability of the developed solutions.