List of materials that can withstand high temperatures

With the continuous advancement of technology and industry, there is an increasing demand for materials that can operate reliably in high-temperature environments. The selection of materials for high-temperature applications is crucial, as only those capable of withstanding extreme temperatures can ensure the safe operation and long-term stability of equipment.

Which materials can withstand high temperatures?

High-temperature materials refer to substances that can operate stably for extended periods at elevated temperatures without significant deformation, fracturing, or corrosion. The main areas are as follows:

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Metal Materials

Certain metal materials are known for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures without losing their structural integrity or functionality. These materials are essential in various high-temperature applications, including aerospace, automotive, industrial machinery, and semiconductor industries. These metals, such as tungsten, molybdenum, nickel alloys, and titanium, offer exceptional heat resistance, strength, and durability. Here are some of the most commonly used high-temperature resistant metals:

Alloy Materials

1. Basic Alloy Systems

Basic alloy systems are traditional high-temperature materials widely used in aerospace and energy fields. They are known for their balanced properties, including high strength, oxidation resistance, and thermal stability.

Material TypeMaximum Usage Temperature (°C)PropertiesApplication FieldsNickel-based superalloy (Inconel 718)704Tensile strength: 540 MPa (at 704°C)Aerospace engine turbine disksCobalt-based alloy (HA-31, 25%Cr, 10%Ni)980Oxidation rate: <0.1 mm/year (at 980°C)Gas turbine bladesMolybdenum-based alloy (TZM alloy, 0.5%Ti, 0.08%Zr)1,200Strength: 200 MPa (at 1,200°C); Thermal expansion coefficient: 4.9×10⁻⁶/°CHigh-temperature structural parts

2. Advanced Metallic Materials

Advanced metallic materials are cutting-edge materials designed for extremely high-temperature environments, including rhenium-based alloys and high-entropy alloys. They excel in strength, oxidation resistance, and thermal stability, offering superior performance compared to traditional alloys.

Material TypeMaximum Usage Temperature (°C)PropertiesApplication FieldsRhenium-based alloy (Ir-10Re)2,000Maintains 50 MPa strength (at 2,000°C)Aerospace propulsion system nozzlesHigh-entropy alloy (AlCoCrFeNi system)800Yield strength: 800 MPa (at 800°C), 300% improvement over traditional alloysAdvanced structural applications

Ceramic Materials

Ceramic materials are known for their outstanding ability to withstand extreme temperatures, making them ideal for applications in industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy. Unlike metals, ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic materials that maintain their strength and structural integrity even under high heat. Below are some of the most widely used high-temperature resistant ceramic materials:

Ceramic-Based Composite Materials

1. Structural Ceramics

Structural ceramics are high-performance ceramic composites designed for extreme environments. They offer exceptional high-temperature resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical strength, making them ideal for aerospace and energy applications.

MaterialMaximum Usage Temperature (°C)Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K)Typical ApplicationsSiC/SiC composite1,Nuclear reactor fuel claddingC/SiC composite1,Spacecraft thermal protection systemsZrB₂-SiC composite2,Hypersonic vehicle nose tips

2. Functional Ceramics

Functional ceramics are specialized materials designed for specific functional requirements. Transparent glass-ceramics are used in high-temperature optical applications, while boron nitride ceramics are ideal for high-frequency electronic components due to their excellent dielectric properties.

MaterialKey PropertiesTypical ApplicationsTransparent glass-ceramic (Schott ROBAX®)Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE): α = 0 ± 0.5 × 10⁻⁶/K (20–700°C), resistant to 760°C thermal shockHigh-temperature sight glassesBoron nitride ceramic (hexagonal BN)Dielectric loss < 0. at 800°C5G base station high-frequency circuit substrates

Polymer Materials

Polymer materials, though typically known for their flexibility and ease of processing, have also evolved to withstand high temperatures in various industrial applications. High-temperature-resistant polymers are engineered to maintain their mechanical properties and resist degradation when exposed to extreme heat. These materials are essential in sectors such as automotive, electronics, aerospace, and manufacturing. Below are some of the most popular polymer materials that can withstand high temperatures:

Frontier Materials Revolution

1. Ultra-High-Temperature Composites

Ultra-high-temperature composites are cutting-edge materials designed to withstand extreme thermal and mechanical loads. Carbon/Carbon composites are lightweight and maintain high strength at °C, making them ideal for hypersonic applications. Ceramic-based aerogels, with their ultra-low thermal conductivity, are revolutionizing thermal insulation in high-temperature environments.

MaterialKey PropertiesTypical ApplicationsCarbon/Carbon (C/C) CompositeDensity: 1.8 g/cm³, Strength > 150 MPa at °CHypersonic vehicle leading edgesCeramic-Based AerogelSiO₂-Al₂O₃ aerogel developed by NASA, Thermal conductivity: 0.03 W/m·K at °CHigh-temperature thermal insulation

2. Smart Protective Materials

Smart protective materials integrate advanced functionality to adapt to extreme environments. Shape memory alloys like NiTiNb offer self-healing capabilities for thermal protection systems, while gradient materials such as W-Cu significantly reduce thermal stress in high-temperature applications like nuclear fusion reactors.

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MaterialKey PropertiesTypical ApplicationsShape Memory Alloy (NiTiNb)Recovery stress > 500 MPa at 600°C, enabling self-healing of thermal protection structuresSmart thermal protection systemsGradient Functional Material (W-Cu)Reduces thermal stress by 60% at °CFirst wall of nuclear fusion devices

What are the properties of heat-resistant materials?

• High melting point
• Good thermal stability
• High oxidation resistance
• Low coefficient of thermal expansion
• Good mechanical properties
• Good corrosion resistance

What are the applications of these materials that can withstand high temperatures?

• Metal materials: They can be used to manufacture engine components and other high-temperature parts.
• Ceramic materials: They always be used as cutting tools, molds, wear-resistance parts, etc. Functional ceramics can be used in electronics, optics, etc.
• Polymer materials: They can be used in the construction industry and medical devices.

The research and development of these high-temperature materials have provided reliable support for various engineering and manufacturing processes in high-temperature environments. They have also laid a solid foundation for exploration in the field of materials.

Guide to Selection and Testing

Most people are familiar with plastic's propensity for melting. For example, cooking food in the microwave in a plastic container for too long or leaving a plastic spatula on the stove next to a hot burner will show this. Yet thermoplastics and many other heat-resistant plastic materials can handle very high temperatures. These are known as heat-resistant plastics.

Heat-resistant plastics can handle high working temperatures without softening, breaking down, losing stability, or melting. Often, traditional plastic materials are made more heat-resistant by adding something to them to increase their resistance to high temperatures. Here is a closer look at some of the more popular heat-resistant plastics, their properties, and the common applications where they work well.

Popular High-Temperature Plastics

Temperature ratings can range from 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) to 240 degrees Celsius (464 degrees Fahrenheit), depending on the plastic material. High-temperature labels are typically reserved for plastics with a maximum operating temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Some popular plastic products that fit this range include:

• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) – Better known as Teflon, this plastic has a working temperature of 280 degrees Celsius (500 degrees Fahrenheit). Because of this high-temperature rating, it is often added to other plastics to improve their heat stability.
• Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) – PEEK can handle temperatures of up to 250 degrees Celsius (482 degrees Fahrenheit) and sometimes higher, and it also resists radiation and chemical abrasion.
• Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) – With a working temperature of 220 degrees Celsius (428 degrees Fahrenheit), this thermoplastic has excellent mechanical strength and works well in injection fabrication applications.
• Polyetherimide (PEI) – PEI has a rating of 171 degrees Celsius (340 degrees Fahrenheit), and it is a great choice for applications that need rigid strength from a heat-resistant material.

Key Factors That Affect the Performance in High-Temperature Environments

Four main factors affect plastic materials’ performance when exposed to high temperatures. These are as follows:

• Chemical makeup of the plastic
• Material thickness of the plastic
• Expansion rate at high temperatures
• Thermal conductivity

These factors work together to determine how well the material will withstand heat exposure for a long period.

Common Applications That Require High-Temperature Plastic Materials

In the manufacturing world, numerous applications require the benefit of high-temperature plastic. The repetitive movement of many factory machines can generate significant heat via friction, and the fabrication of items requires high temperatures to melt or mold the material into a desired shape.

The medical industry also requires high-temperature plastics. These materials can withstand the strenuous sanitation methods necessary for medical equipment. Similarly, the food packaging industry benefits from these materials due to their ability to withstand cooking temperatures and their ability to handle sanitation processes.

In the aerospace engineering, high temperatures are common not only from engines and exhaust but also from the atmosphere. Again, this is a place where you need high-temperature plastic materials. Similarly, transportation technology and engine components for land-based vehicles need to be able to withstand high temperatures.

The world of tech and telecommunications often generates high temperatures, and electronics and semiconductors must be made from high-temperature plastics or coated in them. Because plastic doesn’t conduct electricity easily, it is a common material to insulate electronic components inside computers and other pieces of tech.

Tips for Testing Plastic Materials in High-Temperature Environments

While the team at Piedmont Plastics will help guide you toward plastics that fit your temperature requirements, it is always a good idea to test the stability of the plastic before using it in a high-cost situation. The main factors to test include:

• Vicat Softening Temperature – This is the temperature at which an indentation tool can penetrate 1 mm into the surface of the plastic.
• Heat Distortion Temperature – This is the temperature at which the plastic will deform under pressure.
• Ball Pressure Test - Determines what temperature will cause deformation when the plastic is under a specific, constant load.

Each of these tests will give you a clear picture of the temperature range of the plastic material. Rather than testing the material on your own, reach out to the team at Piedmont Plastics to learn these values for the product you are considering for your particular high-heat application. With the right plastic, you can have reliable products or parts that withstand high temperature ranges well without softening or losing their shape.

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