Development of high-temperature wave-transparent nitride-based CFCMCs for aircraft radomes

Taking into account the requirements for structural–functional integration, the main developments in high-temperature wave-transparent materials for supersonic/hypersonic aircraft radomes are summarized. Nitride-based continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CFCMCs) have been studied in terms of preparation and properties of the four structural units, i.e. reinforcing fibers, interphase, matrix, and surface coating based on nitride system. Precise control of preparation process of each structural unit is crucial, which determines its composition, structure and properties, and strategy for structural design of composites. As the main load-bearing unit, fibers play a critical role in the properties of composites and it is paramount to obtain high-performance fibers, which depends on the composition and structure of the fibers. In addition, control of interfacial bonding and the modulus matching relationship between the fibers and matrix is the key to ensure that the fiber exerts its strengthening and toughening effects.