via University of Manchester
Researchers at The University of Manchester in collaboration with Central South University (CSU), China, have created a new kind of ceramic coating that could revolutionise hypersonic travel for air, space and defense purposes.
Hypersonic travel means moving at Mach five or above, which is at least five times faster than the speed of sound. When moving at such velocity the heat generated by air and gas in the atmosphere is extremely hot and can have a serious impact on an aircraft or projectile’s structural integrity. That is because he temperatures hitting the aircraft can reach anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 °C.
The structural problems are primarily caused by processes called oxidation and ablation. This is the when extremely hot air and gas remove surface layers from the metallic materials of the aircraft or object travelling at such high speeds. To combat the problem materials called ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) are needed in aero-engines and hypersonic vehicles such as rockets, re-entry spacecraft and defence projectiles.
But, at present, even conventional UHTCs can’t currently satisfy the associated ablation requirements of travelling at such extreme speeds and temperatures. However, the researchers at The University of Manchester’s and the Royce Institute, in collaboration with the Central South University of China, have designed and fabricated a new carbide coating that is vastly superior in resisting temperatures up to 3,000 °C, when compared to existing UHTCs.
Professor Philip Withers, Regius Professor from The University of Manchester, says: “Future hypersonic aerospace vehicles offer the potential of a step jump in transit speeds. A hypersonic plane could fly from London to New York in just two hours and would revolutionise both commercial and commuter travel.
“But at present one of the biggest challenges is how to protect critical components such as leading edges, combustors and nose tips so that they survive the severe oxidation and extreme scouring of heat fluxes at such temperatures cause to excess during flight.”
Future hypersonic aerospace vehicles offer the potential of a step jump in transit speeds. A hypersonic plane could fly from London to New York in just two hours and would revolutionise both commercial and commuter travel.
Professor Philip Withers
So far, the carbide coating developed by teams in both University of Manchester and Central South University is proving to be 12 times better than the conventional UHTC, Zirconium carbide (ZrC). ZrC is an extremely hard refractory ceramic material commercially used in tool bits for cutting tools.
The much improved performance of the coating is due to its unique structural make-up and features manufactured at the Powder Metallurgy Institute, Central South University and studied in University of Manchester, School of Materials. This includes extremely good heat resistance and massively improved oxidation resistance.
What makes this coating unique is it has been made using a process called reactive melt infiltration (RMI), which dramatically reduces the time needed to make such materials, and has been in reinforced with carbon–carbon composite (C/C composite). This makes it not only strong but extremely resistant to the usual surface degradation.
Professor Ping Xiao, Professor of Materials Science, who led the study in University of Manchester explains: “Current candidate UHTCs for use in extreme environments are limited and it is worthwhile exploring the potential of new single-phase ceramics in terms of reduced evaporation and better oxidation resistance. In addition, it has been shown that introducing such ceramics into carbon fibre-reinforced carbon matrix composites may be an effective way of improving thermal-shock resistance.”
Learn more:Chances of hypersonic travel heat up with new materials discovery
The Latest on: Hypersonic travel
February 8, 2019 - US step closer to developing hypersonic missile that travels at five times the speed of sound The IndependentThe United States is racing to develop hypersonic missiles that can travel at five times the speed of sound, officials have confirmed. Heather Wilson, secretary of ...
How Close Are We to Hypersonic Travel? - Seeker
January 24, 2019 - How Close Are We to Hypersonic Travel? SeekerImagine traveling from New York to London in just a couple of hours. Or waking up in California and flying to China in time for lunch. Hypersonic flight could ...Putin Warns That Russia Is Developing ‘Invincible’ Hypersonic Missiles - The New York Times
February 6, 2019 - Putin Warns That Russia Is Developing ‘Invincible’ Hypersonic Missiles The New York TimesThe claim comes after the U.S. withdrew from a weapons control treaty, but some experts say it may be a bluff, because Moscow cannot afford an arms race.
Race for 'hypersonic' weapons heats up as France joins fray - Economic Times
January 29, 2019 - Race for 'hypersonic' weapons heats up as France joins fray Economic TimesPARIS: World powers are vying to develop so-called "hypersonic" weapons that travel several times the speed of sound, with France the latest to join a field led ...
DARPA's advancements for hypersonic time travel - DB - Digital Battlespace - Shephard Media
February 7, 2019 - DARPA's advancements for hypersonic time travel - DB - Digital Battlespace Shephard MediaThe US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is investigating advances in materials that could allow hypersonic vehicles to travel through ...
Putting the Hype in Hypersonic Weapons - Project On Government Oversight
February 7, 2019 - Putting the Hype in Hypersonic Weapons Project On Government OversightThe Pentagon let up on the gas on its effort to build a nationwide missile shield following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. What had begun as President ...February 5, 2019 - Take a look at the Boeing jet that may take you to your next business meeting at supersonic speeds CNBCBoeing is partnering with supersonic startup Aerion to develop a jet that will bring back the luxury of faster-than-sound business travel, the aerospace giant ...
In pictures: Here are the planes being built to bring back supersonic travel - CNBC
January 18, 2019 - In pictures: Here are the planes being built to bring back supersonic travel CNBCConcorde led the way but supersonic transport hasn't been seen since in commercial aviation. It may be set for a comeback.
Now France Wants Hypersonic Missiles by 2021 - The National Interest Online
February 4, 2019 - Now France Wants Hypersonic Missiles by 2021 The National Interest OnlineProject V-MaX (Experimental Maneuvering Vehicle) aims to create a hypersonic glider with a speed of more than 3700 miles per hour, or Mach 5, by 2021.Air Force Academy professor leads new DOD hypersonic research institut - Air Force Link
February 2, 2019 - Air Force Academy professor leads new DOD hypersonic research institut Air Force LinkDOD leaders are seeking to combat the weaponization of hypersonic capabilities by peer adversaries.,
- WW3: France to build ‘unstoppable’ HYPERSONIC NUKES to replace ageing nuclear armoury on February 9, 2019 at 8:11 am
However many hypersonic weapons can travel much faster, with Russia’s latest glider reaching speeds of 20,700mph. The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) admitted the country had “relatively ... […]
- US step closer to developing hypersonic missile that travels at five times the speed of sound on February 8, 2019 at 1:53 pm
The United States is racing to develop hypersonic missiles that can travel at five times the speed of sound, officials have confirmed. Heather Wilson, secretary of the US Air Force, said the effort wa... […]
- China leads research into hypersonic technology: report on February 8, 2019 at 12:51 am
BERLIN — China is dominating research into technology that could allow missiles to travel five times the speed of sound ... In 2017, the vast majority of scientific publications into such “hypersonic” ... […]
- UT has record year for research in 2018 with expenditures of $260 million on February 7, 2019 at 9:25 pm
Prominent projects funded: • A $9.8 million shared grant from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for UT Space Institute’s John Schmisseur and his colleagues to study the materials and structures f... […]
- Putin Warns That Russia Is Developing ‘Invincible’ Hypersonic Missiles on February 7, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Putin of Russia has ramped up warnings that his country is developing new hypersonic missiles that will travel at more than five times the speed of sound and will be “invincible.” But while instructin... […]
- UT Announces Record Year For Research, $260 Million In Expenditures on February 7, 2019 at 8:10 am
A $9.8 million shared grant from the US Air Force Research Laboratory for UT Space Institute’s John Schmisseur and his colleagues to study the materials and structures for reusable hypersonic vehicles ... […]
- DARPA’s advancements for hypersonic time travel on February 7, 2019 at 3:25 am
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is investigating advances in materials that could allow hypersonic vehicles to travel through Earth’s atmosphere for longer periods of time. DA... […]
- First photo of Russia’s futuristic hypersonic space drone released on February 7, 2019 at 2:39 am
Russia seems to be reasserting its legacy as the original pioneer of uncrewed space travel. According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, a new photo revealed what may be the country’s latest hype... […]
- Air Force Academy Professor Leads New DOD Hypersonic Research Institute on February 7, 2019 at 1:27 am
A great deal of human capital and money was invested in making the leap from supersonic to hypersonic -- the potential to travel at five times the speed of sound or more than 3,000 mph. But a series o... […]
- Forget Hypersonic Missiles, This May Be A Bigger Market Long Term on January 31, 2019 at 8:48 am
As China and Russia show off videos of hypersonic missile tests, the U.S. is racing to develop its own versions of the superfast weapons, which can travel more than five times the speed of sound. But ... […]
via Google News and Bing News