Chinese scientists have created a new material capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 3,600 degrees Celsius (6,512 degrees Fahrenheit) in an oxidizing environment.
In other words, the new material, a carbide ceramic, is capable of surviving temperatures exceeding the current thermal limits on hypersonic flight, a report from the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reveals.
A new ultra-resistant material for hypersonic flight
Hypersonic aircraft require materials that maintain structural integrity under extreme conditions. Most materials begin to suffer breakages well below 3,000 degrees. Metal alloys typically degrade at temperatures higher than 2,000 degrees. SpaceX’s Starship megarocket, for instance, features heat shield tiles capable of withstanding roughly 1,371 degrees Celsius (2,500 degrees Fahrenheit).
Now, a team of scientists from China has announced the development of its new carbide ceramic, capable of withstanding much higher temperatures. The team published their findings in a paper in the journal Advanced Materials.
“Our team has – for the first time globally – surpassed this long-standing limit through high-entropy, multi-component design,” Chu Yanhui, a professor at South China University of Technology told SCMP.
“The carbide ceramic we developed, composed of elements such as hafnium, tantalum, zirconium, and tungsten, exhibits a significantly lower oxidation rate at 3,600 degrees Celsius under laser irradiation than any previously reported materials,” they continued.
The world’s leading space powers are racing to improve their hypersonic aircraft and weaponry capabilities. The technology allows a launch vehicle, or weapon, to fly anywhere in the world in less than an hour. In fact, Chinese military researchers claim to have developed a weapon that can strike anywhere in just 30 minutes.
A global first
According to the scientists, their material’s impressive performance is due to its unique oxide layer structure. One of the most important components is a tungsten-based skeleton filled in by oxides of the other elements from the material. These oxides protect the tungsten from further oxidation and serve as a barrier, preventing oxygen from penetrating the material.
The team accelerated the development of their material using a high-throughput laser testing platform. Typically, scientists have to go through a long wind tunnel testing phase. Using laser testing, they were able to observe and analyze material samples as they were heated to roughly 3,800 degrees Celsius.
According to Chu, the new carbide ceramic “can be used directly as an exterior protective layer for spacecraft or in energy systems to resist direct high-temperature exposure.”
“This is the first time globally that a base material’s service temperature has reached 3,600 degrees Celsius, breaking the long-standing 3,000-degree barrier that has challenged the industry for years,” he continued. “As a foundational material, the ceramic can be manufactured into composites or used as a coating. Potential applications include aerospace components, weapons protection systems, and even semiconductor lithography, where it can shield components from plasma radiation.”
According to the SCMP report, the team is working with industry partners to establish potentially lower production costs. They are also utilizing artificial intelligence to assist in the optimization of the material, in order to improve its performance even further.
