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Ceramic coating allows for high temperatures
Materials news
Ceramic coating allows for high temperatures ZIRCOTEC OF Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK, says its ceramic coating allows composites to be used in high-temperature environments such as in motor sport, aerospace and military applications, with minimal weight gain. The ceramic thermal barrier technology enables the use of composites in environments with temperatures above their melting point. In tests for a
Coatings allow high temperature use.
16
REINFORCEDplastics
rp527p15_16.indd 16
typical application, the composite surface temperature was reduced by more than 125°C. “The thermal environment in motorsport and aerospace applications is not always conducive to the use of composites,” says Peter Whyman, Sales Manager at Zircotec. “This results in the use of heavier materials or bulky heat shields, which can reduce overall performance. Our solution allows engineers to access a range of materials previously unavailable.” The coating can be engineered to suit specific customer requirements, adjusting the coating properties both through thickness and across the surface so the component can cope with hot spots. The coating can also be customised for different
Weight impact is minimal.
Zircotec supplies coatings to Formula 1 teams for race application.
forms of heat transfers such as radiant, conductive or convective heating. “We can apply a reflective surface layer to help protect against radiant heat, or we can increase the thickness of the
ceramic in areas where a hot spot can occur,” Whyman continues. “We also have the ability to build in a conductive sub-layer that will help to dissipate heat away from any hot spots, and can also help deal with transient heating solutions. This means we apply just the right amount of coating to deliver the necessary protection whilst minimising the weight impact of the coating (as low as 0.03 g/cm2 for some applications). We are now able to vary and control parameters within our coating in all three dimensions.” Zircotec believes its coating is the only commercially available of its kind, and has already supplied examples to several Formula 1 teams. Zircotec; www.zircotec.org.uk
July/August 2008
01/07/2008 11:09:57
Ceramic coating allows for high temperatures ZIRCOTEC OF Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK, says its ceramic coating allows composites to be used in high-temperature environments such as in motor sport, aerospace and military applications, with minimal weight gain. The ceramic thermal barrier technology enables the use of composites in environments with temperatures above their melting point. In tests for a
Coatings allow high temperature use.
16
REINFORCEDplastics
rp527p15_16.indd 16
typical application, the composite surface temperature was reduced by more than 125°C. “The thermal environment in motorsport and aerospace applications is not always conducive to the use of composites,” says Peter Whyman, Sales Manager at Zircotec. “This results in the use of heavier materials or bulky heat shields, which can reduce overall performance. Our solution allows engineers to access a range of materials previously unavailable.” The coating can be engineered to suit specific customer requirements, adjusting the coating properties both through thickness and across the surface so the component can cope with hot spots. The coating can also be customised for different
Weight impact is minimal.
Zircotec supplies coatings to Formula 1 teams for race application.
forms of heat transfers such as radiant, conductive or convective heating. “We can apply a reflective surface layer to help protect against radiant heat, or we can increase the thickness of the
ceramic in areas where a hot spot can occur,” Whyman continues. “We also have the ability to build in a conductive sub-layer that will help to dissipate heat away from any hot spots, and can also help deal with transient heating solutions. This means we apply just the right amount of coating to deliver the necessary protection whilst minimising the weight impact of the coating (as low as 0.03 g/cm2 for some applications). We are now able to vary and control parameters within our coating in all three dimensions.” Zircotec believes its coating is the only commercially available of its kind, and has already supplied examples to several Formula 1 teams. Zircotec; www.zircotec.org.uk
July/August 2008
01/07/2008 11:09:57