Ceramics in aerospace—materials for extreme conditions
High-performance ceramics are key materials in aerospace technology. They can withstand extreme temperatures, high mechanical loads and aggressive environments, properties that are indispensable in this industry.
Ceramic insulators are used in the electrical systems of satellites and aircraft, where they provide reliable insulation at a low weight.
In engines and rocket nozzles, ceramic coatings and heat shields provide thermal protection at several thousand degrees Celsius.
Sensor components made of technical ceramics also offer stability, precision and durability under the most demanding conditions, for example, in pressure, temperature or gas sensors. New developments show how versatile ceramic materials are in aerospace applications—from the atmosphere and Earth orbit to the next mission to Mars.
Lightweight, resistant, powerful: ceramics in aerospace technology
Aerospace is one of the most demanding application fields for technical materials—and one in which ceramics play a key role. Whether as heat shields, structural components, thermal insulation or as part of complex sensor systems, the special material properties of ceramic materials—especially their temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, low density and high strength—make them indispensable for operation under extreme conditions.
A key field of application is the heat shield in space missions. Ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) such as hafnium and zirconium diborides or silicon carbide-based materials are used for thermal protection systems on space capsules, hypersonic missiles and atmospheric re-entry vehicles. These materials withstand temperatures of over 2,000 °C and are also resistant to oxidizing and abrasive conditions. Ceramic thermal insulation tiles—familiar from space shuttle technology—are also coming back into play in reusable spacecraft.
Fiber-reinforced ceramics (CMC—Ceramic Matrix Composites) are used in engine components, particularly in rocket nozzles, turbines and combustion chamber linings. They not only enable higher operating temperatures and weight savings compared to metal alloys but also offer a significantly longer service life under thermal and mechanical stress. Today, these CMCs are regarded as a key material for more powerful and efficient drive systems in both civil and military aviation.
In addition to structural and thermal applications, ceramics also make a decisive contribution in sensor technology. Piezoelectric and pyroelectric ceramics are used, for example, in vibration and temperature sensors that record data under harsh environmental conditions in engines or on aerodynamically critical components. Ceramic substrates, housings and bushings are also playing an increasingly important role in the miniaturization and reliability of navigation and control systems, especially in view of the growing demands on electronics in unmanned flying objects, satellites and launchers.
The increasing complexity of modern space missions, combined with new demands on material behavior, energy efficiency and system integration, is also driving the further development of ceramic materials. Functionalized surfaces, hybrid ceramic-metal composite systems and additive manufacturing processes enable components to be adapted precisely to thermomechanical and aerodynamic load profiles—a decisive factor in the design of future aerospace systems.
Last but not least, environmental and sustainability aspects are also becoming increasingly important. The reusability, reparability and recyclability of high-performance materials will play a key role in the future in the development of new carrier systems and missiles. Here too, technical ceramics can provide new impetus.
The current state of the art shows that ceramics have long been more than just additional insulating components. They are function-determining key materials for new flight concepts, highly resilient drive systems and future-oriented space technologies. Their role grows with every technological challenge.