A low-cost carbon/carbon composites (LC3) project by HTMS and Cranfield University
High-Temperature Material Systems Limited (HTMS), a company developing new chemistries to deliver innovative Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) in the UK, recently entered a partnership with Cranfield University to work on the 6-month Low Cost Carbon-Carbon Composites (LC3) project, the aim of which is to develop and validate innovative manufacturing processes so as to produce high performance non-oxide ceramic composites at a much lower cost than usual.
Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) are composites in which both the matrix and the fibre are ceramics. A carbon-carbon composite consists of a carbon matrix combined with a carbon fibre reinforcement.
Advanced carbon-based composites are much used in the UK’s space and defence sectors, making these materials essential to achieve national ambitions in this area. Indeed, they are strong and durable and resist to extreme conditions. However, they are highly expensive, which prevents them from being adopted on a wider scale. The LC3 project intends to remedy this situation by proposing a less costly solution that would retain the quality and performance of the current system.
As part of the LC3 project, HTMS and Cranfield University work together to establish manufacturing processes to produce high performance non-oxide ceramic composites at a lower cost than is generally the case. The partners will explore new production techniques, material formulations and process optimisations. More precisely, the partners plan to refine existing manufacturing methods – namely the pyrolysis method – while integrating pioneering technologies and processes to make them more efficient. Besides cost savings, the project aims to foster greater sustainability in composite manufacturing, reducing material waste and energy consumption.
This partnership is a first step towards making advanced carbon composites available to professionals in a wider range of sectors. Indeed, HTMS and Cranfield University want the discoveries made in the context of the LC3 project to be applied into real-world applications. To do this, they work closely with industry partners and end users, with the goal to better meet market needs and support the broader adoption of advanced carbon composites. The LC3 project actually aims to develop a carbon-carbon composite supply chain in the UK.
“We are delighted to further strengthen our collaboration with Cranfield University, particularly with Dr. Geoff Neale and Dr. David Ayre, both of whom are renowned experts in composite manufacturing. There is a strong industry demand for affordable non-oxide CMCs, and we recognise the immense potential in meeting this need. By combining HTMS’s expertise in CMC technology with Cranfield’s world class facilities and research capabilities, we are taking a significant step towards making affordable non-oxide CMCs a reality,” Danilo Di Salvo, CEO of HTMS, commented.
“I am particularly happy to kick off this project following on from a successful MSc project that we sponsored in the last academic year. The facilities and knowledge base at Cranfield is sector leading. The team at Cranfield has invested in some great equipment to be used in this project and future work packages. I look forward to expanding this relationship over the coming years,” Richard Grainger, CTO of HTMS, stated.
The LC3 project runs from 6 January to 31 July 2025.
HTMS was a 2024 Startup Booster finalist.
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