New Advances in High-Performance Structural Ceramics and Their Composites

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, advances in high-performance structural ceramics and their composites have opened up new possibilities for applications in extreme environments, where materials with outstanding resistance to heat, abrasion and corrosion are required. Nanostructured ceramics, for example, have shown significant improvements in mechanical properties such as hardness and fracture toughness, thanks to the reduction in grain size and the optimization of secondary phases at the nanometric scale. In addition, advances in ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) have allowed the development of much stronger, lighter, and more durable materials, such as SiC- and fiber-based composites, which combine the high thermal resistance of ceramics with the ductility of fibrous reinforcements. The use of advanced processing technologies, such as chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) or 3D printing, has allowed the creation of more complex and robust structures, adapted to critical applications in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and energy. Refractory ceramic materials, such as hafnium carbide, are increasingly being investigated for use in systems operating at extreme temperatures, such as hypersonic engines and nuclear reactors. These developments are not only pushing the boundaries of materials engineering but also posing new challenges and opportunities for research. With the continued evolution of manufacturing techniques and design at the micro- and nanostructural level, advanced ceramics and their composites promise to transform a wide range of industrial applications, improving the efficiency and sustainability of high-demand systems.

Dr. Amparo Borrell
Dr. Rut Benavente
Prof. Dr. Rujie He
Topic Editors