World Leading Innovation

Hyper-Therm HTC continues to set the standard for innovation having invented many of the technologies being explored by research centers and industry around the world today. Hyper-Therm HTC's patented multilayered SiC fiber/matrix interface coating for SiC-fiber/SiC-matrix composites is the preferred material system for in-core structural components in gas-cooled nuclear reactors under development. Hyper-Therm HTC was the first to demonstrate the benefits of hybridized fiber preforms comprising a blend of carbon and advanced SiC fibers to eliminate process-induced matrix microcracking that is typical in C-fiber/SiC-matrix composites. Hyper-Therm HTC pioneered the development of precision vapor deposited nanostructures producing a variety of materials exhibiting intriguing properties. Hyper-Therm HTC produced the World’s first all-ceramic composite actively-cooled rocket thrust chambers for in support of NASA’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Linear Aerospike Engine program. Hyper-Therm HTC demonstrated the benefits of molecular level oxidation inhibited SiC-matrix composites produced by CVI co-deposition, which resulted in a 100X improvement in tensile stressed oxidation lifetime over typical composites. Second generation inhibited SiC-matrix composites produced by discrete matrix layering have demonstrated even greater durability improvements and will likely become the industry standard for extended-life C-fiber/SiC-matrix and SiC-fiber/SiC-matrix composites. Utilizing patented technology originally developed for vapor deposited nanostructures, Hyper-Therm HTC demonstrated a ~50% increase in the matrix cracking strength for SiC-fiber/SiC-matrix composites by nanolayering the matrix during preform consolidation, thus increasing the allowable proportional limit strength over that of conventional materials. Hyper-Therm HTC has demonstrated the World's first silicon nitride matrix composites produced by CVI. Silicon nitride composites are of military interest for specialized high-temperature aircraft components requiring low dielectric strength. Hyper-Therm HTC has developed rigid/damage tolerant ceramic sandwich structures comprising high strength ceramic composite facesheets that are integrally bonded to a low thermal conductivity reticulated ceramic foam core. These materials are of interest for load-bearing hot structure for hypersonic vehicle leading edges and control surfaces. Hyper-Therm HTC has developed an affordable method for enhancing the interlaminar mechanical properties of 2D laminated ceramic composites that nearly doubles both the interlaminar tensile and interlaminar shear strengths over typical ceramic composite laminates. The ability to improve the interlaminar properties of current laminated materials without requiring use of costly multidirectional (i.e., 3D) fiber preforms will facilitate better utilization of these materials, such as actively cooled hot gas flow path thermal-structures, heat exchangers or other applications that must sustain severe thermal gradients.