CSIR-NAL Develops Indigenous Cf/C-SiC Composites for Aerospace Applications

Updated on August 07, 2026 • 4 min read

India’s CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) has announced significant progress in developing carbon fiber reinforced carbon-silicon carbide (Cf/C-SiC) ceramic matrix composites, supporting the country’s efforts to strengthen indigenous aerospace materials manufacturing.

The advanced composites are intended for demanding applications including aircraft brake discs, hypersonic vehicles and other systems operating under extreme temperatures and mechanical loads.

The development forms part of CSIR-NAL’s long-term program to establish domestic manufacturing capabilities for advanced composite materials and reduce reliance on imported aerospace technologies.

Two Decades of Composite Materials Research

CSIR-NAL reports that it has spent more than 20 years developing carbon fiber and ceramic matrix composite technologies.

The laboratory has focused on building indigenous manufacturing processes capable of producing high-performance aerospace materials within India.

According to the organization, these efforts support national objectives for self-reliance in critical aerospace and defense technologies.

Hybrid Manufacturing Process Reduces Production Time

To manufacture the new Cf/C-SiC composites, researchers adopted a hybrid production route combining:

• Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI)
• Liquid Silicon Infiltration (LSI)

Compared with conventional processing methods, the hybrid approach reportedly reduces:

• Manufacturing time by 40–50%
• Overall production costs by 40–50%

The laboratory states that baseline material testing has confirmed the composites meet the performance requirements for demanding aerospace applications.

Applications in Aircraft Brakes and Hypersonic Vehicles

The Cf/C-SiC composites are being applied in:

• Aircraft brake discs
• Hypersonic vehicle structures

These applications require materials capable of maintaining mechanical strength while resisting severe thermal loading, oxidation and repeated friction cycles.

According to CSIR-NAL, the composites demonstrate the durability needed for these operating environments.

Ceramic Matrix Composites for Radomes

Alongside the brake materials, CSIR-NAL has also developed ceramic matrix composites for radome applications.

The organization has produced porous and functionally graded silicon nitride radomes designed for broadband electromagnetic transmission between 2 GHz and 23 GHz.

The materials combine:

• Electromagnetic transparency
• Mechanical strength
• Oxidation resistance
• Wear resistance

These characteristics are important for fighter aircraft and missile systems where radar performance must be maintained under demanding environmental conditions.

Collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited

CSIR-NAL recently signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to jointly develop silicon nitride radome technologies.

The collaboration aims to accelerate deployment of indigenous radome systems for future defense platforms while reducing dependence on imported components.

Research Demonstrates Stable High-Temperature Performance

According to recent studies referenced by CSIR-NAL, the Cf/C-SiC composites exhibit:

• Stable friction behavior
• Excellent oxidation resistance
• Reliable braking performance
• Good long-term thermal durability

Researchers attribute these characteristics to favorable tribochemical behavior and microstructural stability under repeated thermal loading.

The materials have undergone advanced testing to evaluate their long-term operational performance.

Professor’s Analysis

The most significant aspect of this development is not simply the material itself, but the establishment of an indigenous manufacturing capability.

Carbon fiber reinforced carbon-silicon carbide composites belong to a class of ceramic matrix composites that are traditionally difficult and expensive to manufacture. Their production requires precise control over fiber architecture, matrix infiltration and high-temperature processing. By combining Chemical Vapor Infiltration with Liquid Silicon Infiltration, CSIR-NAL is addressing one of the industry’s largest challenges: reducing production cost while maintaining aerospace-grade performance.

Equally important is the range of applications being targeted. Aircraft brake discs, hypersonic vehicles and silicon nitride radomes all operate under extreme thermal environments where conventional metallic materials reach their limits. Developing domestic expertise across these technologies strengthens India’s broader aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystem while reducing long-term dependence on imported high-temperature composite systems.

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