Turning up the heat for ceramics research

摘要

Materials Scientists at the University of Wales Aberystwyth (UWA) are taking ceramics to new heights in order to determine the structure and stability of the materials that are used to construct certain aero-engine components. A 40,000 pounds grant from the Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPSRC), and support from NPL, will assist Dr Rudolf Winter and colleagues from the Department of Physics at UWA to study ceramics at extreme temperatures. At present, ceramic linings are not used for normal civil aircraft, although metal-ceramic composites may be used one day for that purpose,' says Winter 'It is important to understand the structural response of these materials to mechanical and thermal impact.'