Recent Advances in Sustainable Ceramic Matrix Composites

A special issue of Inorganics (ISSN 2304-6740). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 838

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Pedro de Alba s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza C.P. 66450, NL, Mexico
Interests: traditional ceramic materials; advanced ceramic materials; sustainable ceramic materials; characterization; degradation phenomena

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are garnering increasing attention due to their exceptional thermal stability, high mechanical performance, and resistance to harsh environments, which make them indispensable in aerospace, energy, transportation, and environmental applications. However, the urgent need to reduce the carbon footprint of ceramic production calls for sustainable approaches in raw material selection, processing routes, and recycling strategies. Addressing these challenges is crucial to developing the next generation of high-performance yet environmentally responsible CMCs.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the Inorganics Special Issue entitled “Recent Advances in Sustainable Ceramic Matrix Composites.” This Special Issue aims to gather innovative research that aligns with the journal’s focus on inorganic materials and their applications. Contributions should highlight new strategies for designing, processing, and applying ceramic matrix composites with an emphasis on sustainability, resource efficiency, and performance optimization.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Novel synthesis and processing methods for sustainable CMCs;
  • Use of industrial by-products and alternative raw materials;
  • Recycling and life-cycle assessment of CMCs;
  • High-temperature performance and durability;
  • Functional and structural applications in energy, aerospace, and electronics.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Edén A. Rodríguez
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • ceramic matrix composites
  • sustainability
  • advanced ceramics
  • high-temperature materials
  • recycling
  • green manufacturing
  • microstructure
  • performance optimization
  • aerospace applications
  • energy materials

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

31 pages, 5596 KB  
Article
Fly Ash as a Secondary Raw Material Improving the Sustainable Characteristics of a Conventional Silicoaluminate Refractory Castable
by Jesús Fernando López-Perales, Leonel Díaz-Tato, Sinuhe Uriel Costilla-Aguilar, Yadira González-Carranza, José Eulalio Contreras de León and Edén Amaral Rodríguez-Castellanos
Inorganics 2025, 13(11), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13110367 - 2 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 652
Abstract
The global reliance on coal-fired power generation continues to produce vast quantities of fly ash, exceeding 500 million tons annually, with limited recycling rates. Given its high silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) contents, fly ash represents a [...] Read more.
The global reliance on coal-fired power generation continues to produce vast quantities of fly ash, exceeding 500 million tons annually, with limited recycling rates. Given its high silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) contents, fly ash represents a promising alternative raw material for sustainable refractory production. In this study, four aluminosilicate refractory castables were formulated using bauxite, calcined flint clay, kyanite, calcium aluminate cement, and microsilica, in which the fine fraction of flint clay was partially replaced by 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt.% fly ash. The specimens were dried at 120 °C and sintered at 850, 1050, and 1400 °C for 4 h. Their physical and mechanical properties were systematically evaluated, while phase evolution and microstructural development were analyzed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that the incorporation of 10 wt.% fly ash (10FAC) provided the optimal balance between densification and strength, achieving compressive strengths of 45.0 MPa and 65.3 MPa after sintering at 1050 °C and 1400 °C, respectively. This improvement is attributed to the formation of a SiO2-rich liquid phase derived from fly ash impurities, which promoted the in-situ crystallization of acicular secondary mullite and enhanced interparticle bonding among corundum grains. The 10FAC castable also exhibited only a slight increase in apparent porosity (26.39%) compared with the reference (25.74%), indicating effective sintering without excessive vitrification. Overall, the study demonstrates the technical viability of using fly ash as a sustainable substitute for flint clay in refractory castables. The findings contribute to advancing circular economy principles by promoting industrial waste valorization and resource conservation, offering a low-carbon pathway for the development of high-performance refractory materials for structural and thermal applications in energy-intensive industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Sustainable Ceramic Matrix Composites)
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