Materials design for hypersonics.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38637517.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-024-46753-3 and PMC identifier 11026513.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Hypersonic vehicles must withstand extreme conditions during flights that exceed five times the speed of sound. These systems have the potential to facilitate rapid access to space, bolster defense capabilities, and create a new paradigm for transcontinental earth-to-earth travel. However, extreme aerothermal environments create significant challenges for vehicle materials and structures. This work addresses the critical need to develop resilient refractory alloys, composites, and ceramics. We will highlight key design principles for critical vehicle areas such as primary structures, thermal protection, and propulsion systems; the role of theory and computation; and strategies for advancing laboratory-scale materials to manufacturable flight-ready components.