Researchers at KIT developed a chromium–molybdenum–silicon superalloy that resists melting, oxidation, and brittleness even at 2,000°C. This breakthrough could revolutionize jet engines and power turbines, improving efficiency and reducing emissions.
In a major leap for materials science, researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a new chromium–molybdenum–silicon alloy that can endure temperatures approaching 2,000°C — all while staying ductile and resisting oxidation. This new material could pave the way for turbines, engines, and other energy systems that are far more efficient and cleaner than today’s technology allows. The study is published in the journal Nature.
A Breakthrough in Heatproof Materials
For decades, engineers have depended on nickel-based superalloys for use in jet engines, gas turbines, and other high-temperature machinery. While incredibly strong, these materials can only function safely up to around 1,100°C. Beyond that, they begin to degrade — a fundamental limit that has capped turbine efficiency for years.
“Efficiency in combustion systems increases with temperature,” explains Professor Martin Heilmaier of KIT’s Institute for Applied Materials. “If we can safely raise those limits, we can dramatically improve performance while cutting fuel use and emissions.”
The Alloy That Refuses to Melt
The KIT research team, working within the German Research Foundation’s (DFG) MatCom-ComMat program, designed an alloy made from chromium, molybdenum, and silicon — elements known for their high melting points but also for being notoriously brittle and prone to oxidation.
By carefully balancing these components, the researchers achieved what was once thought impossible:
- Melting point near 2,000°C
- Strong resistance to oxidation
- Ductility (flexibility) at room temperature
“This material combines properties that usually exclude one another,” says Dr. Alexander Kauffmann, now a professor at Ruhr University Bochum. “It’s both tough and heat-resistant — traits that could enable components to survive conditions far beyond what current superalloys can handle.”
Transforming Energy and Aviation
A rise of even 100°C in turbine operating temperature can boost efficiency by around 5%, Heilmaier notes. For aviation, where full electrification remains decades away, such gains could drastically cut fuel consumption and emissions. Power plants using gas turbines could also run cleaner and more economically.
While industrial adoption will require years of further testing and refinement, the discovery marks a crucial milestone. “We’ve opened a new door,” Heilmaier says. “Now, researchers around the world can build on this foundation to design the next generation of high-performance materials.”