Ceramic Fibres in Automotive Applications
topic
Automotive exhaust systems: catalytic converter substrates, diesel particulate filters (DPF using Nextel fibres), turbocharger insulation, and exhaust manifolds. C/SiC ceramic composite brake discs in high-performance vehicles (Ferrari, Porsche—90% weight reduction vs. steel, fade-free performance, 300,000+ km life but $10,000+ cost). Emerging: CMC combustor liners for gas turbine range extenders in electric vehicles.
Role
Ceramic fibres address automotive thermal management challenges in high-efficiency, high-temperature engines and enable performance braking systems, with mass-market adoption limited by cost ($500-2000/kg ceramic fibre vs. $2-5/kg glass fibre) but growing with emissions regulations and performance demands.