One of the technologies presented to us as ESA Technology Broker UK are ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) designed for high temperature survivability.
Created by UK materials development SME, Lucideon, this CMC solution allows for high operating temperatures and mechanical loading in harsh environments, making them ideal for applications such as reusable thermal protection systems.
Many monolithic ceramics suffer an issue with brittleness, but Lucideon’s CMCs solve this problem by incorporating fibres into the matrix. The ceramic options provided by Lucideon contain a range of different fibre types and matrixes, offering operating temperatures ranging from 1100°C to in excess of 2000°C.
As well as being able to operate at high temperatures with non-brittle behaviour, these CMCs have an excellent strength to weight ratio, high temperature flux environment resistance, and excellent environmental resistance, as well as being tailorable due to the composite nature of their structure.
Lucideon’s expertise with these materials means that they possess the correct viscosity, particle size distribution, and rheology characteristics necessary to achieve uniform distribution throughout the end-product, easing processing and maximising performance. Because they are comprised of fibres they have high strength and stiffness while impregnation enables support, bonds, and protection to the fibre.
Once the impregnated fibre architecture is created, various heat treatments are used for further processing, consolidating the part and burning off binders and additives before final densification occurs. Densification reduces the composite’s porosity, creating a more compact final product. Once the CMC has been built, post production (such as joining and machining) creates the final geometry and surface finish.
The ability of these materials to operate at higher temperatures with desirable strength-to-weight properties makes them suitable for space applications such as for combustion chambers for propulsion systems as well as for thermal protection and leading edges on hypersonic reusable vehicles.
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With a number of potential space sector applications available for this system, you can find out more about this technology here:
If you would like to explore this technology further for potential applications, please get in touch with us by emailing contactus@esa-technology-broker.co.uk.