Researchers have discovered that tantalum carbide and hafnium carbide materials can withstand scorching temperatures of nearly 4000 degrees Celsius.
In particular, the team from Imperial College London discovered that the melting point of hafnium carbide is the highest ever recorded for a material. Being able to withstand temperatures of nearly 4000°C could pave the way for both materials to be used in ever more extreme environments, such as in heat resistant shielding for the next generation of hypersonic space vehicles.
Tantalum carbide (TaC) and hafnium carbide (HfC) are refractory ceramics, meaning they are extraordinarily resistant to heat. Their ability to withstand extremely harsh environments means that refractory ceramics could be used in thermal protection systems on high-speed vehicles and as fuel cladding in the super-heated environments of nuclear reactors. However, there hasn't been the technology available to test the melting point of TaC and HfC in the lab to determine how truly extreme an environment they could function in.
The researchers of the study, which is published in the journal Scientific Reports, developed a new extreme heating technique using lasers to test the heat tolerance of TaC and HfC. They used the laser-heating techniques to find the point at which TaC and HfC melted, both separately and as mixed compositions of both.
They found that the mixed compound (Ta0.8Hf0.20C) was consistent with previous research, melting at 3905°C, but the two compounds on their own exceeded previous recorded melting points. The compound TaC melted at 3768°C and HfC melted at 3958°C.
Space race
The researchers say the new findings could pave the way for the next generation of hypersonic vehicles, meaning spacecraft could become faster than ever.
Dr Omar Cedillos-Barraza, who is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Texas - El Paso, carried out the study while doing his PhD at Imperial's Department of Materials.
Dr Cedillos-Barraza said: "The friction involved when travelling above Mach 5 – hypersonic speeds – creates very high temperatures. So far, TaC and HfC have not been potential candidates for hypersonic aircraft, but our new findings show that they can withstand even more heat than we previously thought - more than any other compound known to man. This means that they could be useful materials for new types of spacecraft that can fly through the atmosphere like a plane, before reaching hypersonic speeds to shoot out into space. These materials may enable spacecraft to withstand the extreme heat generated from leaving and re-entering the atmosphere."
Examples of potential uses for TaC and HfC could be used in nose caps for spacecraft, and as the edges of external instruments that have to withstand the most friction during flight.
Currently, vehicles going over Mach 5 speeds do not carry people, but Dr Cedillos-Barraza suggests it may be possible in the future.
Dr Cedillos-Barraza added: "Our tests demonstrate that these materials show real promise in the engineering of space vehicles of the future. Being able to withstand such extreme temperatures means that missions involving hypersonic spacecraft may one day be manned missions. For example, a flight from London to Sydney may take about 50 minutes at Mach 5, which could open a new world of commercial opportunities for countries around the world."
More information:Omar Cedillos-Barraza et al. Investigating the highest melting temperature materials: A laser melting study of the TaC-HfC system, Scientific Reports (2016). DOI: 10.1038/srep37962
Citation:New record set for world's most heat resistant material (2016, December 22)retrieved 11 March 2024from https://phys.org/news/2016-12-world-resistant-material.html
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FAQs
Detailed Solution. The correct answer is Tantalum carbide. The most heat-resistant material in the world is Tantalum carbide. Tantalum carbide and hafnium carbide materials can withstand scorching temperatures of nearly 4000 degrees Celsius.
What is the new record set for the world's most heat-resistant material? ›
Researchers have discovered that tantalum carbide and hafnium carbide materials can withstand scorching temperatures of nearly 4000 degrees Celsius.
Which is the world's most heat-resistant material? ›
Hafnium Carbide (HfC) is a type of ceramic material that is known for its extreme heat resistance. Studies have shown that it can withstand temperatures up to around 3950 degrees Celsius (approximately 7142 degrees Fahrenheit).
What is the most heat-resistant see through material? ›
High Heat Resistance -Quartz glass is made from almost pure silica (SiO2 ≥ 99.9%) which makes it a heat proof glass. Can operate continuously at temperature of 1100°C and a peak temperature of 1450°C for a short period. Deformation temperature of silica glass is as high as 1,700ºC.
What is the most heat-resistant fabric? ›
High Temperature Fabrics
- Fiberglass Fabrics. 1000°F/550°C. ...
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- S-Glass Fabrics. 1400°F/760°C. ...
- Silicone-Fiberglass Fabrics. 600°F/320°C. ...
- Wire-Inserted Fiberglass Fabrics. 1100°F/600°C.
It's official: 2023 was the planet's warmest year on record, according to an analysis by scientists from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Along with the historic heat, Antarctic sea ice coverage dropped to a record low in 2023.
What is the world record heat in USA? ›
It is no surprise that the hottest temperatures in the U.S. have been recorded in the Desert Southwest. In fact, the highest temperature recorded in California, 134 degrees, is also the current hottest air temperature on record on Earth and was measured in Death Valley, California, on July 10, 1913.
What is the hardest thing to melt? ›
The substance with the highest known melting point is the compound hafnium: Ta4HfC5, its melting point is 4215 degrees Celsius. Tantalum carbide has the highest melting point (3983 degrees C) if it is a binary compound, but hafnium carbide is also one of the alloys with the highest melting point (3928 degrees C).
What is the hardest metal to melt? ›
Tungsten is the highest melting point metal, as it only melts at the extreme temperature of 3,399°C.
Is there any material that can withstand the heat of the sun? ›
Is there any substance on Earth that can resist the temperatures on the Sun? No. The sun surface temperature is about 6′000 degrees Celsius. The highest measured melting point compound - tantalum hafnium carbide has a melting temperature of some 3,940 degrees.
An insulator is a material that does not allow a transfer of electricity or heat energy. Materials that are poor thermal conductors can also be described as being good thermal insulators. Feather, fur, and natural fibers are all examples of natural insulators.
What is the best material to prevent heat? ›
Insulation helps to prevent that transfer of heat. Many different materials are used for insulation. Engineers often use fiberglass, wool, cotton, paper (wood cellulose), straw and various types of foams to insulate buildings. A layer of trapped air can serve as insulation, too!
What material attracts the least heat? ›
The results showed that cotton fabric absorbed the least amount of heat.
What fabric is coolest in hot weather? ›
Best Fabrics To Keep You Cool
- Cotton: A Lightweight Summer Favorite. ...
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- Silk: Hypoallergenic Summer Wear. ...
- So, What Fabrics Don't Work So Well?
Synthetic fibers comprise most of the top choices for fire-resistant fabrics. While most natural fibers are flammable, plastic-based fibers will often melt due to the heat instead of igniting. Nylon and polyester fabrics have become especially popular due to their high melting points and low thermal conductivity.
What is the strongest and most heat-resistant metal? ›
Tungsten. Tungsten in its pure form is not very useful, but when alloyed with other materials, it becomes one of the most useful metals for high-temperature applications. In an alloy, tungsten lends the fact that it has the highest melting points of all metals, as well as the highest tensile strength.
What metal can withstand 2000 degrees? ›
For example, consider Inconel 600®. This is an alloy that's tailor-made to be used in extreme temperature conditions. This alloy has a continuous operating temperature of around 2,000°F (1,093°C)—making it comparable to grade 309 stainless steel.
Is tungsten the most heat-resistant metal? ›
Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals as well as a remarkably high modulus of elasticity. Thanks to its outstanding thermal properties, tungsten can easily withstand even the highest temperatures.
