Global Statistics Representing Ceramic Matrix Composites Market Scenario

Ceramic matrix composites or CMCs are a subgroup of technical ceramic as well as a subgroup of composite materials. These composites are multicomponent systems with at least a matrix and reinforcement. They are made of ceramic fibers embedded in a ceramic matrix. General properties of ceramic matrix composites include high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, low electrical conductivity, greater fatigue life, high thermal resistance, anisotropic, and low weight. Ceramic matrix composites are extensively utilized in the aerospace and defense sector.

Ceramic Matrix Composites Market: Product Lifecycle

Ceramic matrix composites are advanced materials that are increasingly finding applications across different fields. They are primarily used in the aerospace and defense and automotive industries. However, the product is still in the nascent phase in electrical, electronics, energy and power, and medical end-use industries.

Ceramic Matrix Composites Market: Drivers and Potential Opportunities

Growing Demand from the Aerospace Industry

The applications of ceramic matrix composites are on the rise in the aerospace and defense industry. They are used in aerospace exhaust nozzles, infrared domes, gas turbine engines, sensor protection, missile propulsion systems, multi-spectral windows, and nose caps. The growing demand for ceramic matrix composites in the aerospace and defense sector is attributed to the properties of CMCs, such as high fracture toughness and high damage tolerance. It is expected that CMCs will supplant titanium metal and other composite material-based components in the aircraft structure. Oxide-oxide CMCs such as Al2O3 CMCs are widely employed in the aerospace and defense industry, owing to high-temperature resistance and low weight properties.

Ceramic Matrix Composite’s Low Weight Property

The demand for ceramic matrix composites is snowballing in the automobile industry. Automobile manufacturers are favoring materials that reduce the weight of the vehicle and, thus, increase efficiency. The low weight of ceramic matrix composites makes it ideal for automobile industry applications since their application helps reduce carbon emission and counter the effect of growing fuel prices. Besides, high tensile strength and high-temperature resistance properties lessen the necessity of air cooling in the vehicle engine, resulting in the vehicle’s improved efficiency. High-end and premium car engine manufacturers prefer ceramic matrix composites in the components of their engines as they are lighter, durable, and can resist thermal heat or high temperatures.

Slower Adoption Rate of Ceramic Matrix Composites in Newer Applications

Ceramic matrix composites are the material of choice for space vehicle and defense equipment. The adoption of CMCs in newer applications such as energy, power, and electrical is on the decline due to high cost. Ceramic matrix composites production process necessitates a high degree of energy, increasing the final product’s expense. Slowly but surely, the ceramic matrix composites will become a part of low-cost applications. Ceramic matrix composites manufacturers are optimistic regarding the foreseeable growth, owing to the onset of new applications. For instance, Japanese scientists are researching SiC/SiC composites for nuclear fusion applications. Also, ceramic composites are customarily adopted by the medical and diagnostic industry for making diagnostic kits and implants.

Standardized Ceramic Matrix Composites

Ceramic matrix composites are produced as per the customer demand or for bespoke applications. The customization of CMCs for a specific use involves higher costs, influencing the CMCs market. Standardized CMCs help manufacturers in the large-scale production of non-complicated shapes, such as pipes and plates, reducing the production and labor cost as well as time.

Energy-Intensive Production Process

Ceramic matrix composites’ production process is energy-intensive, which mounts up the final product’s cost. Technology providers and key players of the ceramic matrix composites market have a big chance to facilitate an energy-efficient production process to lower the product’s final cost.

Ceramic Matrix Composites Market: End-Users

Ceramic matrix composites are finding applications across various sectors such as electricals and electronics, and energy and power. However, primary end-user industries for the ceramic matrix composites are automotive, aerospace, and defense, on account of the properties such as high thermal resistance, corrosion resistance, and wear. In space vehicle’s thermal shock conditions, high temperature and heavy vibration loads occur during the re-entry phase. To resist these conditions, specific materials are required; ceramic matrix composites can withstand high heat (beyond the capability of metals).

Asia-Pacific — The Fastest-Growing Region

Rising energy demand and technological developments in the aerospace and defense sector is accelerating the demand for ceramic matrix composites. The Asia-Pacific region is foreseen to emerge as the fastest-growing region for CMCs. The region encompasses emerging economies such as India, China, Thailand, and Malaysia, with adequate availability of low-cost raw material and labor. Also, One Belt One Road Initiative, Make in India Initiative, and 100% FDI in automotive are urging manufacturers to set-up production sites as well as distribution networks in Asia-Pacific. However, North America holds the largest market share in the ceramic matrix composites market due to the presence of a large number of aviation companies. Companies' investments in the R&D for developing CMCs and collaborations with government organizations for upgrading the aerospace and defense equipment are the pivotal factors driving the North America ceramic matrix composites market growth.

What’s Next?

SGL Carbon, a German-based company, launched two CMCs-based products, namely CARBOPRINT Si and SIGRASIC, in September 2016. CARBOPRINT Si is made by carbon-ceramic matrix composites, which provides excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. It can be utilized in optimum efficiency ventilators for heat treatment furnace applications. SIGRASIC is C/SiC type CMC that can be used for charging elements and systems.

General Electric Company, an American company, invested USD 105 Million in March 2018 to construct two new ceramic matrix composites production sites in North Carolina, one in West Jefferson and the other in Asheville. Ceramic matrix composites manufactured in these plants will be used for the jet engine manufacturing. 

In October 2016, Rolls-Royce Holdings plc invested USD 30 Million for the construction of research and development center for ceramic matrix composites materials and processes in South California. It will pave the way for the company to develop stronger and lighter fibers for aircraft.

Key Players

Various regional, as well as national and international industrial material manufacturers, are offering ceramic matrix composites. Some of the notable manufacturers of ceramic matrix composites are listed below

• General Electric Company (United States)
• SGL Carbon (Germany)
• Rolls-Royce Plc. (United Kingdom)
• United Technologies (United States)
• Coi Ceramics, Inc. (United States)
• Lancer Systems (United States)
• CoorsTek, Inc. (United States)
• Ultramet (United States)
• CFC Carbon Co., Ltd. (China)
• UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD (Japan)
• CeramTec (Germany)
• Composites Horizons (United States)

Several ceramic matrix composites manufacturers are from North America and Europe. Other players operating in the ceramic matrix composites market are Plasan North America, United Composites B.V., Zircar Zirconia, Inc., Precision Castparts Corp., and Pyromeral Systems. The manufacturers of CMCs are incorporating strategies such as collaboration, business expansion, innovation, and acquisition to withstand in the competitive market.

Ceramic Matrix Composites Market Segmentation

By Product Type

• Carbon Reinforced Carbon (C/C)
• Silicon Carbide Reinforced Silicon Carbide (SiC/SiC)
• Carbon Reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC)
• Oxide Reinforced Oxide (Ox/Ox)
• Others

By Fiber Type

• Short Fiber
• Long or Continuous Fiber

By End-Use

• Aerospace & Defence
• Automotive
• Electricals & Electronics
• Energy & Power
• Others

By Region

North America

• US.
• Canada
• Mexico

Europe

• Germany
• France
• UK.
• Italy
• Spain
• Russia
• Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

• Japan
• China
• India
• South Korea
• ASEAN
• Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Columbia
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Oman
• Qatar
• Bahrain
• Rest of ME

Africa

• Nigeria
• Tanzania
• Ghana
• Rest of Africa