Ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs), most notably refractory metal carbides, nitrides and borides, hold the key to advanced maneuverability in hypersonic vehicles.

UHTCs exhibit melting temperatures exceeding 3,000°C, making them appropriate candidates to withstand extreme temperatures experienced by leading edges of aircraft during hypersonic flight.¹ However, UHTCs’ propensity to react rapidly with oxygen may limit their sustained application.