High Temperature Materials Unit
Environment and Energy Materials Division

Efficiency of energy conversion from heat to electricity or thrust is governed by the operating gas temperature. Higher the gas temperature, higher the efficiency but the materials used for engines or power plants must endure the high temperature environment and mechanical loadings. In the High Temperature Materials Unit, we conduct research to design, process and characterize materials such as Fe-base and Ti-based alloys for 600 to 900°C temperature range, Ni-base alloys for 900 to 1200 °C and ceramics for higher temperatures in order to enhance their temperature capability. Surface technologies to protect these materials from environmental degradation as well as novel functional materials to be used at high temperature such as shape memory alloys and tribological coatings are researched simultaneously.