Shaping the Future of Ceramics for Aerospace Applications

Aerospace was one of several parallel tracks at the 4th International Congress on Ceramics. Three prominent areas for application of ceramic technology to aerospace were discussed: propulsion and exhaust washed structures, thermal protection systems, and hot primary structure. Whereas ceramics are not new to aerospace, their application heretofore has been rather limited. Beyond directly working the technical maturity of various ceramic matrix composite, thermal protection, and ultra-high-temperature ceramic materials and systems, specific efforts are required to fully transition these materials for aerospace applications, to nurture the technology through to application, and to address affordability.