Materials design for hypersonics

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 3328
• Main Authors: Peters, Adam B., Zhang, Dajie, Chen, Samuel, Ott, Catherine, Oses, Corey, Curtarolo, Stefano, McCue, Ian, Pollock, Tresa M., Eswarappa Prameela, Suhas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 18.04.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/301/1023/1024; 639/301/1023/1025; 639/301/1023/1026; Aircraft; Atmosphere; Carbon; Ceramic fibers; Ceramics; Components; Composite materials; Computation; Design; Engineering; Flight; Heat conductivity; Heat flux; Heat transfer; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hypersonic flow; Hypersonic vehicles; Materials science; Materials selection; multidisciplinary; Oxidation; Perspective; Principles; Propulsion systems; Refractory alloys; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Temperature; Temperature extremes; Thermal protection; Vehicles
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46753-3

Hypersonic vehicles must withstand extreme conditions during flights that exceed five times the speed of sound. These systems have the potential to facilitate rapid access to space, bolster defense capabilities, and create a new paradigm for transcontinental earth-to-earth travel. However, extreme aerothermal environments create significant challenges for vehicle materials and structures. This work addresses the critical need to develop resilient refractory alloys, composites, and ceramics. We will highlight key design principles for critical vehicle areas such as primary structures, thermal protection, and propulsion systems; the role of theory and computation; and strategies for advancing laboratory-scale materials to manufacturable flight-ready components. Hypersonic vehicles experience extreme temperatures, high heat fluxes, and aggressive oxidizing environments. Here, the authors highlight key materials design principles for critical vehicle areas and strategies for advancing laboratory-scale materials to flight-ready components.