Overview
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ABSTRACT
Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs) are materials that withstand temperatures above 2000 °C. These materials are being strongly developed in several countries for applications in the fields of space (heat shields for vehicles), energy (propulsion, solar, nuclear, etc. and more generally wherever very high temperatures are present. Depending on the environment encountered (strong oxidant, reducing agent, etc.), the choice of a ceramic will be made according to its resistance over time, and so its properties in use are very important to know. In this article, some examples are presented for different fields of application.
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Marianne BALAT-PICHELIN: CNRS Research Director - Processes, Materials and Solar Energy Laboratory (PROMES-CNRS) UPR 8521, Font-Romeu Odeillo, France
INTRODUCTION
Ultra-refractory ceramics are a subclass of refractory ceramics and are classically defined as having melting temperatures in excess of 3,000°C. However, their use at very high temperatures must be considered in relation to the surrounding atmosphere, and several definitions are possible. They are currently undergoing rapid development for use in the space sector, for example as heat shields for hypersonic-speed space vehicles, and in the energy sector for propulsion, nuclear power, solar energy, etc.
These ultra-refractory ceramics are formed from borides, carbides or nitrides of transition metals, essentially titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum, and come in solid form – with or without the inclusion of reinforcing fibers –, thin layers or formed by infiltration into a fibrous preform so as to elaborate a composite material. The most widely studied at present are ZrB 2 -SiC, HfB 2 -SiC, the presence of silicon carbide SiC improving resistance to high-temperature oxidation.
In this article, these different ultra-refractory ceramics are presented and some of their properties are given. Their production methods, fields of application and high-temperature performance in various oxidizing atmospheres are presented, with concrete examples. The evolution of their composition to withstand extreme environments is mentioned. Numerous prospects are opened up for the wider use of these materials, which are currently being developed more on a laboratory scale.
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KEYWORDS
ceramics | solar | high temperatures | thermal shields
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Ultra-refractory ceramics
Bibliography
Websites
European Space Agency (ESA)
"Basic research needs for Materials under Extreme Envvoironments", Edited...
Events
"Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics: Materials For Extreme Environment Applications
ECI Conference Series, August 3-8, 2008, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
E.J. Wuchina, Naval Surface Warfare Center (USA) and A. Bellosi, CNR-ISTEC (Italy).
"Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics: Materials For Extreme Environment Applications II".
ECI Conference...
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