COLRAD ceramics

Wear Resistance of UHTCs

For this project, I investigated the fracture strength and wear resistance of multi-component ultra-high temperature carbides (MC-UHTCs) used in aerospace applications. By synthesizing (MC-UHTCs) through spark plasma sintering (SPS), I found that quaternary UHTCs achieved significant enhancements in flexural strength and fracture toughness, positioning them as promising materials for hypersonic applications.

Accomplishments

Achieving High Flexural Strength
Successfully demonstrated a remarkable increase in flexural strength of up to 270% in quaternary UHTCs compared to conventional compositions.
Won 1st Place in undergraduate research symposium exposing this research topic
Publication of Research Article
Authored and published a research article based on my findings, contributing to the academic discourse on ultra-high temperature ceramics.
Time Management Skills
Developed strong time management skills by efficiently balancing research, testing, and writing within project deadlines.
Technical Writing
Enhanced technical writing abilities through the preparation and publication of the research article, effectively communicating complex concepts to a broader audience.