UQ spends $500,000 on incredible 3000C furnace

The University of Queensland has spent $500,000 on a furnace capable of heating to almost 3000C. Here’s how they’ll use it.

A Queensland university has taken a giant leap forward in the Australian aerospace race with a nation-leading purchase that took almost three years to finalise.

The University of Queensland has acquired a custom-made furnace capable of reaching almost 3000C that can be used to create ceramic matrix composite parts.

UQ Associate Professor Michael Heitzmann (right) and Dr Christian Kudisonga in front of the furnace with a prototype of the Hypersonix DART AE. Photo: David Kelly.

The German furnace is the first of its kind in Australia, with the process to get it here delayed by the pandemic and costing about $500,000.

Dr Michael Heitzmann, co-Director for UQ’s Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing, said hypersonic vehicles travel more than five times the speed of sound and must be made to withstand extremely high temperatures.

“We are working with industry to identify appropriate and cost-effective high temperature ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), tailored to hypersonic flight applications,” he said.

“In areas like a rocket nozzle or a hypersonic vehicle, the temperatures we’re talking about approach those only seen on the surface of the sun.

“We are pioneering CMC manufacturing in Australia – it is a rare class of material because it’s extremely lightweight and has exceptional heat resistance.”

The furnace will also be used to produce 3D-printed materials for biomedical applications, battery materials and a new generation of renewable carbon fibres.

Brisbane-based company Hypersonix manufacturing lead Sam Grieve. Photo: Supplied.

Queensland manufacturer Hypersonix Launch Systems, which specialises in hypersonic technology and scramjet engines, will be using components made in the furnace.

Hypersonix manufacturing lead Sam Grieve said UQ will produce an engine part for their DART AE – a 3m unmanned hypersonic aircraft powered by a hydrogen scramjet engine.

“Normal metal alloys would fail at that temperature … this furnace enables us to produce materials which allow us to perform at really high temperatures, he said.

“But it also gives us the ability to develop aircraft, rockets and reusable space and aerospace vehicles that can land in a SpaceX style or on a traditional runway. Reusability is the big thing in the global space sector at the moment.

“The ultimate goal for Hypersonix is a multi-mission autonomous vehicle capable of delivering satellites to orbit while producing no carbon dioxide in its exhaust.”

A view of the furnace from above. Photo: David Kelly.

Mr Grieve said the partnership with UQ meant Hypersonix could compete on an international stage and elevate Australia to the forefront of international space technology.

“CMCs are a new capability in Australia that build on the emerging space and aerospace market here, the fact that this capability is in Brisbane is an added bonus,” he said.

“There is the option of going overseas for CMC parts, but there are all kinds of barriers – logistically working with overseas suppliers and international export control.”

Dr Greta Nabbs-Keller – UQ Associate Director for Defence, Space and National Security – said Australia’s space industry is increasingly dynamic, particularly in South East Queensland.

“We also work very closely with the state government through the Queensland Defence Science Alliance, so there’s a jobs and growth element here too,” she said.

“We’re very aware Queensland has comparative advantages with the alignment of Northern Australia in building a defence and space industry workforce.”