With the continuous advancement of technology and industry, there is an increasing demand for materials that can operate reliably in high-temperature environments. The selection of materials for high-temperature applications is crucial, as only those capable of withstanding extreme temperatures can ensure the safe operation and long-term stability of equipment.Which materials can withstand high temperatures?
High-temperature materials refer to substances that can operate stably for extended periods at elevated temperatures without significant deformation, fracturing, or corrosion. The main areas are as follows:
Metal Materials
Certain metal materials are known for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures without losing their structural integrity or functionality. These materials are essential in various high-temperature applications, including aerospace, automotive, industrial machinery, and semiconductor industries. These metals, such as tungsten, molybdenum, nickel alloys, and titanium, offer exceptional heat resistance, strength, and durability. Here are some of the most commonly used high-temperature resistant metals:
It is the most heat-resistant metal with high density and the highest strength among refractory metals, but it is prone to high-temperature oxidation and low-temperature brittleness. | |
It has a lower melting point and density compared to tungsten and tantalum, but it shows better high-temperature creep resistance. However, it is prone to significant oxidation at high temperatures. | |
It has an extremely low ductile-to-brittle transition temperature, excellent high-temperature mechanical properties, resistance to creep, and outstanding corrosion resistance. |
Alloy Materials
1. Basic Alloy Systems
Basic alloy systems are traditional high-temperature materials widely used in aerospace and energy fields. They are known for their balanced properties, including high strength, oxidation resistance, and thermal stability.
| Material Type | Maximum Usage Temperature (°C) | Properties | Application Fields |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel-based superalloy (Inconel 718) | 704 | Tensile strength: 540 MPa (at 704°C) | Aerospace engine turbine disks |
| Cobalt-based alloy (HA-31, 25%Cr, 10%Ni) | 980 | Oxidation rate: <0.1 mm/year (at 980°C) | Gas turbine blades |
| Molybdenum-based alloy (TZM alloy, 0.5%Ti, 0.08%Zr) | 1,200 | Strength: 200 MPa (at 1,200°C); Thermal expansion coefficient: 4.9×10⁻⁶/°C | High-temperature structural parts |
2. Advanced Metallic Materials
Advanced metallic materials are cutting-edge materials designed for extremely high-temperature environments, including rhenium-based alloys and high-entropy alloys. They excel in strength, oxidation resistance, and thermal stability, offering superior performance compared to traditional alloys.
| Material Type | Maximum Usage Temperature (°C) | Properties | Application Fields |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhenium-based alloy (Ir-10Re) | 2,000 | Maintains 50 MPa strength (at 2,000°C) | Aerospace propulsion system nozzles |
| High-entropy alloy (AlCoCrFeNi system) | 800 | Yield strength: 800 MPa (at 800°C), 300% improvement over traditional alloys | Advanced structural applications |
Ceramic Materials
Ceramic materials are known for their outstanding ability to withstand extreme temperatures, making them ideal for applications in industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy. Unlike metals, ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic materials that maintain their strength and structural integrity even under high heat. Below are some of the most widely used high-temperature resistant ceramic materials:
Its high-temperature mechanical performance (strength, creep resistance, etc.) is superior among ceramic materials, as it can withstand heating to over 1000°C in air, rapid cooling, and reheating without fracturing. | |
Lightweight with high hardness and wear resistance, it can resist corrosion in air at 1000°C but is prone to oxidation in higher temperatures in an oxidizing atmosphere. | |
It has great chemical and thermal stability, serving as an ideal heat dissipation and high-temperature insulation material. |
Ceramic-Based Composite Materials
1. Structural Ceramics
Structural ceramics are high-performance ceramic composites designed for extreme environments. They offer exceptional high-temperature resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical strength, making them ideal for aerospace and energy applications.
| Material | Maximum Usage Temperature (°C) | Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| SiC/SiC composite | 1,450 | 25 | Nuclear reactor fuel cladding |
| C/SiC composite | 1,650 | 15 | Spacecraft thermal protection systems |
| ZrB₂-SiC composite | 2,200 | 65 | Hypersonic vehicle nose tips |
2. Functional Ceramics
Functional ceramics are specialized materials designed for specific functional requirements. Transparent glass-ceramics are used in high-temperature optical applications, while boron nitride ceramics are ideal for high-frequency electronic components due to their excellent dielectric properties.
| Material | Key Properties | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Transparent glass-ceramic (Schott ROBAX®) | Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE): α = 0 ± 0.5 × 10⁻⁶/K (20–700°C), resistant to 760°C thermal shock | High-temperature sight glasses |
| Boron nitride ceramic (hexagonal BN) | Dielectric loss < 0.0005 at 800°C | 5G base station high-frequency circuit substrates |
Polymer Materials
Polymer materials, though typically known for their flexibility and ease of processing, have also evolved to withstand high temperatures in various industrial applications. High-temperature-resistant polymers are engineered to maintain their mechanical properties and resist degradation when exposed to extreme heat. These materials are essential in sectors such as automotive, electronics, aerospace, and manufacturing. Below are some of the most popular polymer materials that can withstand high temperatures:
Polyimide (PI) | It is the most heat-resistant polymer material, with a decomposition temperature typically around 500°C. It boasts excellent mechanical, processing, and dielectric properties, as well as low toxicity and a low thermal expansion coefficient. |
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) | It can function without failure in extreme temperature conditions, withstanding temperatures typically ranging from -200 to +260°C, and melting at 327°C. |
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) | It functions well at 260°C for extended periods and can withstand short-term temperatures up to 300°C while maintaining excellent mechanical performance. PEEK has a high load deflection temperature of 316°C. |
Frontier Materials Revolution
1. Ultra-High-Temperature Composites
Ultra-high-temperature composites are cutting-edge materials designed to withstand extreme thermal and mechanical loads. Carbon/Carbon composites are lightweight and maintain high strength at 2000°C, making them ideal for hypersonic applications. Ceramic-based aerogels, with their ultra-low thermal conductivity, are revolutionizing thermal insulation in high-temperature environments.
| Material | Key Properties | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon/Carbon (C/C) Composite | Density: 1.8 g/cm³, Strength > 150 MPa at 2000°C | Hypersonic vehicle leading edges |
| Ceramic-Based Aerogel | SiO₂-Al₂O₃ aerogel developed by NASA, Thermal conductivity: 0.03 W/m·K at 1200°C | High-temperature thermal insulation |
2. Smart Protective Materials
Smart protective materials integrate advanced functionality to adapt to extreme environments. Shape memory alloys like NiTiNb offer self-healing capabilities for thermal protection systems, while gradient materials such as W-Cu significantly reduce thermal stress in high-temperature applications like nuclear fusion reactors.
| Material | Key Properties | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Shape Memory Alloy (NiTiNb) | Recovery stress > 500 MPa at 600°C, enabling self-healing of thermal protection structures | Smart thermal protection systems |
| Gradient Functional Material (W-Cu) | Reduces thermal stress by 60% at 1500°C | First wall of nuclear fusion devices |
What are the properties of heat-resistant materials?
- High melting point
- Good thermal stability
- High oxidation resistance
- Low coefficient of thermal expansion
- Good mechanical properties
- Good corrosion resistance
What are the applications of these materials that can withstand high temperatures?
- Metal materials: They can be used to manufacture engine components and other high-temperature parts.
- Ceramic materials: They always be used as cutting tools, molds, wear-resistance parts, etc. Functional ceramics can be used in electronics, optics, etc.
- Polymer materials: They can be used in the construction industry and medical devices.
The research and development of these high-temperature materials have provided reliable support for various engineering and manufacturing processes in high-temperature environments. They have also laid a solid foundation for exploration in the field of materials.
Heeger Materials is a reputable supplier offering various kinds of high-quality Refractory Metals, Rear Earth Materials, and Ceramic Materials products at competitive prices, which are widely used in research and science fields. If you're interested, feel free to contact us at [email protected] for a quote, and we guarantee a response within 24 hours.