Advances in High-Temperature Ceramics and Refractory Materials
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced and Functional Ceramics and Glasses".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 10
Special Issue Editor
Interests: high performance castables; oxide-nonoxide refractory composites; controllable synthesis of low-dimensional nanostructures; nanoparticles; molten salt mediated synthesis of ceramic powders
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Background: The development of ultra-high-temperature porous materials originated from the pressing demand for thermal protection systems in aerospace applications under extreme environments characterized by ultra-high temperatures (>2000 °C), intense scouring, and oxidation challenges, while also safeguarding internal electronic equipment from damage. Traditional dense materials or metallic thermal protection systems prove inadequate in these conditions. Ultra-high-temperature porous materials successfully integrate the intrinsic extreme-environment resistance of ultra-high-temperature ceramics with the design of porous architectures, making them an ideal solution for next-generation thermal protection, thermal management, and high-temperature filtration systems.
Research Aim and Scope: With continuous innovation in material design and manufacturing technologies, the development of ultra-high-temperature porous materials that are lightweight, resistant to extreme temperatures, highly insulating, and exhibit excellent ablation and thermal shock resistance holds great promise for broader applications in cutting-edge fields including aerospace, nuclear reactors, energy and environmental protection, as well as metallurgy and manufacturing.
Development Process: In the mid-to-late 20th century, research efforts focused on carbon-based porous materials (e.g., carbon foams). However, these materials suffered from poor oxidation resistance. Subsequently, researchers began incorporating ultra-high-temperature ceramic components such as ZrB2, HfB2, and TaC into carbon matrices, resulting in carbon/ceramic composite porous materials that significantly improved oxidation and ablation resistance. Entering the 21st century, with advances in preparation techniques, ceramic porous materials (e.g., ZrC, HfC, ZrB2–SiC) became the mainstream research focus. Essentially, the evolution of these materials has progressed from single-component to multi-phase composites, from simple structures to finely controlled architectures, and from sole focus on temperature resistance to integrated multifunctionality.
Cutting-edge Research: In recent years, substantial progress has been made in this field, focusing primarily on the following:
(1) Precise Structural Control: Advanced techniques such as 3D printing, ice-templating, and precursor conversion combined with sintering have enabled the fabrication of porous materials with tailored gradient structures including aligned pores, layered configurations, and wood-like annual ring patterns, achieving a synergistic balance between mechanical strength and thermal insulation.
(2) Multi-Phase Composite Systems: By incorporating oxidation-resistant phases (e.g., SiC, MoSi2) and nano-reinforcements (e.g., graphene, carbon nanotubes), multiphase composite porous architectures have been developed, greatly enhancing fracture toughness, thermal shock resistance, and ablation performance.
(3) Multifunctional Integration: Researchers are actively working toward creating a new generation of materials that combine thermal insulation, load-bearing, electromagnetic wave transmission/absorption, catalysis, and other functions to meet the multifunctional demands of aircraft in complex environments.
Types of Articles Solicited: Research Articles and Reviews.
Prof. Dr. Quanli Jia
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- ultra-high temperature porous materials
- thermal conductivity
- compressive strength
- oxidation resistance
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