Currently there is a great need in developing advanced super-sonic and hypersonic flying  vehicles. The continuous pushing for higher speeds has imposed an enormous demand to improve the thermal management for various heat-generating sources. The sharp leading edges of the hypersonic flying vehicles required for maneuvering at high speeds can experience temperatures greater than 2000C, especially at the reentry stage. Current thermal protection materials even ultra high temperature ceramics are not suitable for sustained operation at
these extreme temperatures. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a unique combination of thermal mechanical and electrical properties which make them ideal reinforcing materials for ceramic systems. Addition of CNTs can increase the thermal conductivity of the ceramic system which can dissipate heat more quickly from the material and thus extend the operating time of the
material. However, even after 10 years of research into ceramic-CNT systems problems like uniform dispersion and interface bonding still persist.
In this research CNTs are grown in-situ on the surface of the SiC and ZrB2 particles, followed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) to prevent significant grain growth of the ceramic matrix and to retain the CNTs. The unique process has proven to enhance the thermal properties along with the mechanical properties of the composite.