Wyman Zhuang
DOI Number XXX-YYY-ZZZ
Conference Number HiSST-2022-438
Sustained hypersonic flight relies on critical technology innovations in extreme environment materials
and associated test methods. This is because hypersonic flight vehicles experience high heat fluxes and
sustained aerothermal loading for a significant period of time. Most materials cannot sustain such
extreme operational environments. Ideally, candidate materials for hypersonic vehicle nose cap and
leading edges should have the combined properties of both metals and ceramics including high
strength, low density and ultra-high temperature erosion resistance. Today, materials that excel in each
of these measures are not available commercially or simply do not exist. The associated testing
technologies and methods also need to be developed and standardized for assessing the maturity of
new materials and innovative hot structures technology. This paper presents high-temperature
mechanical testing methods and results developed during research and development of a low-density
extreme environment material for potential Defence hypersonic applications. A low-density metalceramic material was manufactured through a powder based processing technology. To assess the
material’s high-temperature performance, flexural strength testing was conducted at a range of
temperatures up to 1200°C. Fracture toughness testing was completed also. Experimental results
demonstrate this material has favorable high temperature mechanical properties up to 1200°C and
maybe a suitable candidate material, with further refinement, to meet the demands of Defence
hypersonic applications. The findings of this research will be used to facilitate the development of the
next-generation metal-ceramic materials for the demands of sustained hypersonic flight.