Modern hypersonic aircraft have many structural components, such as wing leading edges and nose cones, made from carbon–carbon composites (CCC). At hypersonic speeds, the outer skin of the aircraft may reach temperatures of approximately 2,000°C,¹ triggering rapid oxidation of the material, loss of structural material, and, ultimately, failure.

Thermal and environmental barrier coatings (EBC) are widely used in such harsh conditions. Yttria-stabilized zirconia is an important EBC material used to protect turbine blades² because of its versatile thermomechanical properties.³