Fireside Chat: The Opportunity for CMC’s: Components for Aviation, Hypersonics and Fusion Energy

Friday, 11 April 2025

From hypersonic flight to nuclear fusion and net-zero aviation, the UK’s most ambitious engineering challenges demand materials that can survive extreme heat, radiation, and oxidation. Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) are emerging as game-changers, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 3500°C—already revolutionising aviation with large-scale manufacturing in the US. 

Yet in the UK, adoption has been slow, hindered by high costs and dependence on overseas supply chains. Now, with major investments in high-temperature furnace capabilities, the UK is taking its first steps toward developing a sovereign CMC supply chain. This discussion explores the vast opportunities CMCs offer across aerospace, energy, and defence—and the critical hurdles that must be overcome to make widespread adoption a reality.